Karnataka reports India's first death from H3N2 virus

Amid the rising number of H3N2 influenza cases, India reported its first death due to the infection in Karnataka on Friday. The 82-year-old man died due to the virus on March 1, said an health department official.

The confirmation about the first death due to the H3N2 virus was given by the District Health Officer of Hassan on Friday.

The official also informed that the octogenarian was suffering from comorbidity like diabetes and hypertension.

After contracting the virus, he was admitted to hospital on February 24 and he succumbed to it on March 1. His sample was sent for test.

On March 6, it was confirmed that he was infected by the virus.

In the wake of the rising cases, the state Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar held a meeting with the officials to tackle the spike in H3N2 virus infections.

The Central Government, in its guidelines, has set a target of 25 tests per week and the department is screening 25 cases of Sari and ILI in Victoria and Vani Vilasa Hospitals to keep track of the variants.

The infection is contracting children more than adults. Children under the age of 15 are more prone to the viral infection.

Apart from younger population, the virus is also contracting senior citizens over 65 years of age, the Minister told reporters after the meeting.

In addition to the senior citizens and children, pregnant women are also susceptible to the infection.

The spread of infection can be contained through measures like cleanliness, preventing crowding, and hand hygiene. Following are some prevention tips to stay safe from H3N2 influenza.