Mumbai: Maharashtra witnessed a downward trend in Influenza A H3N2 cases from April 1 to 19.
The state saw 67 Influenza A H3N2 cases during the period, against 239 between March 16 and 31, a fall of 72%.
State reported six deaths so far
So far six people have died after contracting H3N2, and three after H1N1.
Sixty-eight patients are undergoing treatment for H3N2 across the state. Health officials have attributed this drop to rising Covid-19 cases and better awareness of influenza.
"Cases have started to dip slowly"
“Cases were increasing on a daily basis in February and March, but later it started to dip slowly. Every day two or three influenza cases are being reported in Maharashtra,” a senior doctor said on the condition of anonymity.
“Health workers have gone door to door to screen for severe acute respiratory syndrome and influenza-like-illnesses, due to which cases were identified early and diagnoses were started,” he said.
Meanwhile, health experts believe that influenza cases are being under-reported across the state. The Indian Council of Medical Research had confirmed earlier this year that H3N2 or influenza A strain was responsible for a surge in cases.
(To receive our E-paper on WhatsApp daily, please click here. To receive it on Telegram, please click here. We permit sharing of the paper's PDF on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.)
