PATNA:  Patna's health department has reported one case of swine flu and multiple case of the H3N2 influenza, official said on Friday, March 17.

Patna civil surgeon Sharawan Kumar, who confirmed the finding, said that one of the two H3N2 cases is a four-year-old child from the city's Sabzibagh area. A Sampatchak resident is the second patient. Several cases of the two diseases have been reported during the past three days, he said.

"In Patna, we have put in place the necessary precautions to combat H3N2 and swine flu. In addition to the 30 beds at Patna AIIMS, 20 beds have been earmarked at the Patna Medical College and Hospital. In addition, we have created specialised isolation wards at renowned public and private hospitals including Kurji Holy Family, Sadar Hospital, and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital "he said.

"We have ordered all patients with a cold or cough to undergo testing in government and private hospitals, and to submit the results to the civil surgeon office."

Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, the first case of H3N2 influenza is confirmed.  The 26-year-old patient's swab sample has been sent to AIIMS Bhopal, said the state health department. The patient, a Bhopal resident, is being isolated at home. Dr. Prabhakar Tiwari, the chief medical and health officer (CMHO) for Bhopal, verified that the case tested positive for H3N2.

As per  reports, the patient is now one of 14 new H3N2 cases that have been discovered this week across the nation, as reported by the ICMR laboratory network for ILI-SARI surveillance. There is no travel history for the patient. At this time, there are no recommendations for local H3N2 testing or home isolation.

Influenza A, B, C, and D, which are all members of the Orthomyxoviridae family of viruses, are the four different strains that cause seasonal influenza, an acute respiratory tract illness. The most typical pathogen for humans among these is Influenza A.

Incidences of influenza are frequently reported to rise throughout particular months of the year on a global scale. Seasonal influenza often has two peaks in India: one from January to March and the other following the monsoon season.

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