H3N2

India is updating its seasonal flu vaccine for the 2026-27 season to combat a rapidly spreading new A(h3n2) variant. The World Health Organization's recommendations highlight the need for this change due to the strain's increased transmissibility. Experts urge early vaccination, especially for vulnerable groups, to prevent severe illness and hospitalizations.

h3n2, a potent influenza A subtype, is driving significant flu outbreaks globally, causing substantial hospitalizations, particularly in young children and the elderly. Rapid mutations necessitate annual vaccine updates, while cold, dry weather and indoor gatherings facilitate its spread. The virus employs sophisticated mechanisms to evade the immune system and replicate efficiently.

Hospitals across the country have been reporting thousands of cases of Influenza A subtype h3n2 over the past few months, which causes fever for 3-5 days and a persistent cough that can last up to three weeks.

Doctors are reporting a disturbing rise in h3n2 cases among children, especially those below the age of 5 years. For children, the complications of h3n2 can be quite serious. In addition to the typical symptoms of the flu such as fever, cough, and sore throat, children may also experience vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, severe weakness, lethargy.

The Punjab health department on Monday issued an advisory in the wake of the h3n2 influenza outbreak, stressing on timely initiation of treatment to reduce morbidity and mortality related to the virus.

Concerned over increasing cases of influenza virus, especially sub-variant h3n2, across the country and two deaths due to it so far, the state health department has put its team on alert and asked people to be cautious. The centre has also sent an advisory to all the states, asking them to closely monitor the trend of influenza like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and refer sufficient samples for testing for influenza in their respective areas.

As the influenza h3n2 cases have started to rise rapidly in the country after Covid cases dipped, experts are of the opinion that people need to be careful, but there is no need to panic if precautions are taken on time. Talking about the symptoms of the virus, Dr Anupam Sibal, a senior doctor of Delhi's Apollo Hospital, told ANI that the symptoms are similar to Covid but are staying for longer periods of time.

The number of confirmed h3n2 cases in Jharkhand rose to two on late Saturday evening after the samples of a girl, 4, from Ranchi tested positive at a private laboratory in the state capital.

Till March 19, eight cases of h3n2 influenza were reported from Dehradun while the cumulative count of the state remains at 10, according to data from the health department. The actual figures are suspected to be higher.

The state confirmed five deaths due to influenza h3n2 on Tuesday and said a sixth fatality was under review by a committee of experts. Among the deceased is a seven-year-old boy from Washim who died a fortnight ago, officials confirmed.

Puducherry has reported 79 cases of influenza cases belonging to the viral h3n2 subtype so far, a health official said on Saturday.

Amid the surge in influenza A subtype h3n2 virus across the country and a confirmed official case in the state, the state health department has issued an advisory and asked doctors to keep watch on the patients coming to the hospitals with influenza-like illness (ILA) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and send their samples for lab confirmation.

The detection of virus h3n2 has sent ripples of fear and suspense as whether it would spread like a wave of Covid-19 which put down many with severe breathing problem and other symptoms or would pass off simply as a seasonal flu.

Type h3n2 of influenza A, influenza B, adenovirus and non-Covid coronaviruses are the dominant viral strains in circulation in Kolkata now, prompting several private hospitals to convert their former Covid units to isolation bays for patients testing positive for these. While a fourth of all adults admitted with a viral attack have h3n2, influenza B comes a close second and non-Covid coronaviruses a distant third. A vast majority of children have adenovirus.

A 38-year-old woman, who tested positive for h3n2 influenza a month ago and had developed bilateral pneumonia, got discharged from a city's private hospital after a month on Tuesday.

Amid the sudden spurt in cases of viral infection and seasonal flu, a 30-year-old woman medical student in Patna was tested positive for h3n2 variant, a subtype of Influenza A virus, said the officials on Sunday. It is the first h3n2 case reported in the state this year.

Delhi is currently grappling with an outbreak of the h3n2 flu, a virulent strain of influenza A. Health officials are urging residents to be vigilant, recognizing symptoms such as severe fever, persistent cough, and body aches. Early detection and medical consultation are crucial for effective management and prevention of potential complications, especially for vulnerable populations.

Delhi-NCR is grappling with a surge in h3n2 influenza cases, comprising nearly 69% of flu infections. Unlike typical seasonal flu, h3n2 presents prolonged symptoms, lasting over a week, and heightened complication risks, especially for children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.

The Steel City on Saturday reported the state’s first confirmed case of influenza A virus with subtype h3n2.

District magistrate (DM) Chandrashekhar Singh on Wednesday asked people not to panic because of the h3n2 but remain alert. The district administration is watchful and has asked the civil surgeon to ensure implementation of the health advisory issued by the government.

At least 29 h3n2 influenza cases have been confirmed in the past three months in tests done at AIIMS Jodhpur. "The 29 cases were tested positive at AIIMS Jodhpur's laboratory. We are closely monitoring all the h3n2 cases and did not find any severe complication yet," said Dr Pritam Singh, deputy chief medical health officer, Jodhpur.

Speaking during a discussion in the assembly on the increasing cases of h3n2 influenza, senior Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia on Friday demanded that genome sequencing facilities be set up in Gujarat to help tackle the outbreak more effectively.

A 24-year-old woman tested positive for the h3n2 virus on Monday. So far, surveillance teams have tested 176 people with flu-like symptoms and recorded 6 influenza cases in the city-4 type B and 2 h3n2. There are 4 types of influenza-A (with h3n2 as a subtype), B, C and D.

The virus spreads rapidly through the air, when sick people cough, sneeze or speak, because their actions release tiny droplets. It also spreads when someone inhales contaminated droplets, or touches virus-infected surfaces. Person-to-person contact also occurs, and the virus spreads quicker in congested, closed spaces like an AC room

While h3n2 influenza, along with H1N1 cases are being reported across the country, many people are still not following proper protocol in the state capital despite rise in flu cases.

Over one moth has passed, but, reports of samples of two h3n2 suspects are still awaited even after they have recovered.

Maharashtra has reported two fatalities suspected to be caused by influenza. While one of them, a 74-year-old man, died of the h3n2 sub-type, the other victim was infected by Covid-19 as well as the influenza virus, state health minister Tanaji Sawant told the assembly on Wednesday.