New Delhi: After coronavirus pandemic, now the world is at risk of a new virus, named H3N2, as it is spreading across the country at an increasing rate, and its cases are also coming to the fore.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines H3N2 as a non-human influenza virus that normally circulates in pigs and that has infected humans. As the H3N2 influenza cases in the country rapidly rise, experts have come out with a list of precautions one needs to take and have said that “there is no need to panic.” Here’s what they feel:
Also Read: Delhi Government Issues Advisory On H3N2, Directs Hospitals To Monitor Situation
Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services Lt Gen Daljit Singh says,
N3H2 Influenza is a respiratory virus which transmits in the same fashion as the COVID virus. The precautions are also the same and should be practised. There is no cause to worry but precautions should be taken.
Dr Anupam Sibal, Senior Pediatric Consultant of Apollo Hospital, Delhi says,
Virus changes from time to time. Symptoms of influenza virus are appearing after the Covid pandemic. Although its symptoms are almost similar where cough, cold, and fever are commonly seen. But in this virus, it is seen that patients have these symptoms for a long time due to which it is spreading rapidly.
Dr Aditya Bhati, Neurologist, Apollo Hospitals on the other hand, emphasized on healthy lifestyle in order to boost the immune system and added,
The reason why this type of virus has more effect on people’s minds is that people are under a lot of stress. We are always on run. There is a lack of time management and a healthy lifestyle. We are not able to do this. There is no routine of eating and doing exercise. This affects both physically and mentally. It is very important to balance everything for a healthy lifestyle so that we can be healthy both physically and mentally.
Also Read: Not Many Influenza Cases But Will Conduct Early Screening: Delhi Health Minister
He also said the day-to-day stress affects people neurologically. He added,
Although the number of cases from this virus is not high, but we have seen cases of brain stroke due to the virus. This virus affects all the organs of a human being, it has seen more effect on the brain. In cases like brain stroke or brain haemorrhage, the virus has also been found in the brain. It can affect any part of the body. Because of this, our nerves become thin and weak and then build up starts forming in the brain itself. Due to the block of intoxication, blood circulation is not possible.
Explaining about the precautions one should take for this virus, Dr Sibal added,
It is necessary that people take the same precautions that they were taking during Covid, like wearing a mask and washing hands. If symptoms like cough, cold or fever are seen in a person, then it is very important to avoid coming in contact with people. Also, there is a need to take special care of children. Parents should keep in mind that if they are sending children to school or to play outside, they need to ensure that children are not suffering from cough and cold. Take special care of cleanliness. Because through cleanliness and good eating habits, you can stay away from this type of virus.
H3N2 Virus In India
H3N2 has slowly becoming the dominant subtype with around 451 cases being reported across the country between January and March this year — according to the Union Health Ministry data. According to the data the death toll owing to the H3N2 virus has reached nine, the latest being a 73-year old man from Pune, who died after contracting the infection. In the latest development, the health department reported that two new cases of influenza subtype H3N2 have been reported in Gurugram.
Also Read: Delhi Hospitals Witnessing Spike In H3N2 Virus Cases, Say Doctors: Report
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
