A total of 3038 laboratory-confirmed cases of Influenza have been reported including the H3N2 subtype till 9th March 2023. H3N2 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus. 

It is a highly contagious respiratory illness that affects humans and animals including birds, and pigs. 

It is known to cause more severe illness in young children and in older adults. 

India normally sees 2 peaks of seasonal Influenza: January to March and in the post-monsoon season. 

This time the number of cases is more than normal, predominantly H3N2.  

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme is being used to keep track of all cases of Influenza-like illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections presenting in health facilities. 

In February a total of 436,523 cases of Influenza like Illness and 6919 cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness has been reported.  

The public health facilities are also providing the drug Oseltamivir free of cost. The drug was shifted to Schedule H1 from Schedule X of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act in February 2017. 

 ICMR network of laboratories: An integrated surveillance network for Influenza Like Illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness is being used to detect the human influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2. 

The surveillance architecture consists of 28 sites, which is comprised of 27 DHR-ICMR’s Virus Research & Diagnostic Laboratories and National Influenza Center at ICMR-National Institute of Virology Pune (WHO Collaborating Center for Global Influenza Surveillance & Response System)  Government guidelines: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released the guidelines on categorization, treatment protocol, ventilatory management. To access these guidelines -  click here.