Amid sharp surge, H1N1 claims one death in Gujarat
Gandhinagar (Gujarat), March 11: Amid a sharp increase in H3N2 virus cases in the country, Gujarat health minister Rushikesh Patel said on Saturday that the state has reported one death due to H1N1, but no death due to H3N2 has been reported in the state as of March 10.
"There are three H3N2 cases in the state till March 10. There has been one death in the state till now which is due to H1N1," Patel said.
He went on to say that 77 H1N1 cases had been reported in Gujarat so far.
"There is no need to panic as the government is working round the clock to ensure people's safety. We are monitoring it," he further said.
According to the Union Health Ministry, Karnataka and Haryana have confirmed one H3N2 influenza death each. H3N2 is the dominant subtype followed by H1N1.
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However, the Union Ministry of Health said on Friday that cases of seasonal influenza, including H3N2, which has claimed one life each in Haryana and Karnataka, are expected to decline by the end of March.
"India every year witnesses two peaks of seasonal influenza: one from January to March and the other in the post-monsoon season. The cases arising from seasonal influenza are expected to decline from March end," the Union Health Ministry said.
Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that circulate throughout the world, with cases increasing during specific months.
It also stated that the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control, conducts real-time surveillance of cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) presenting in health facility OPDs and IPDs (NCDC).
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- ANI
