The Union Health Ministry said it is monitoring and tracking cases across the states through the IDSP (Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme) network on real-time basis.
The ministry said the cases of H3N2 subtype of seasonal influenza are being strictly monitored.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also issued advisories on precautions to be observed for prevention of the influenza.
According to the ministry, it is also tracking and keeping a close watch on morbidity and mortality due to the H3N2 subtype of the seasonal Influenza. Young children and old age persons with co-morbidities are the most vulnerable groups in context of seasonal influenza.
So far, Karnataka and Haryana have confirmed one death each from H3N2 influenza
What is Seasonal influenza
Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses which circulate in all parts of the world, and the cases are seen to increase during certain months globally. India every year witnesses two peaks of seasonal influenza: one from Jan to March and other in post monsoon season.
Cases to decline by March-end
The cases arising from seasonal influenza are expected to decline from March end. State surveillance officers are therefore fully geared to meet this public health challenge, said the ministry.
Real time surveillance
The Union Health Ministry added that a near real time surveillance of cases of Influenza like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) presenting in OPDs and IPDs of health facilities is undertaken by Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
“According to the latest data available on IDSP-IHIP (integrated health Information Platform), a total of 3038 laboratory confirmed cases of various subtypes of Influenza including H3N2 have been reported till 9th March 2023 by the States. This includes 1245 cases in January, 1307 in February and 486 cases in March (till 9th March),” said health ministry.
In 2023 (till February 28), a total of 955 H1N1 cases have been reported. Majority of the H1N1 cases are reported from Tamil Nadu (545), Maharashtra (170), Gujarat (74), Kerala (42) and Punjab (28).
During the period of first 9 weeks (January 2nd to March 5th) of 2023, the surveillance network has monitored the human influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection in SARI and ILI cases.
