Over the past few weeks, India has been witnessing a rise in influenza cases. Flu cases in the country's national capital are also witnessing a spike. As per a PTI report, hospitals in New Delhi are witnessing a close to 150 per cent spike in cases of the H3N2 virus. Amid the spike, a fatality is being reported from the country's financial capital Mumbai. If verified, it will bring the nation's death toll due to&nbsp;the H3N2 virus to three.

As per doctors, the influenza virus triggers symptoms like fever, cold and body aches, and in some cases causes a persistent cough that can make patients extremely weak.&nbsp;According to a Zee News report, in India, two Influenza 'A' type strains are behind this rise in flu cases. H3N2 has emerged as the dominant subtype of flu, it is followed by H1N1.

Watch |&nbsp;India: Two die as H3N2 influenza cases rise

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The nation has already confirmed two deaths due to H3N2, and as per reports, there has been another death.&nbsp;

As per reports, the alleged third death is of a 23-year-old MBBS student. The man, a student at a private institution, is believed to have caught the virus while out with friends. Reportedly, his health deteriorated after coming back from a trip to Alibaug in Konkan. Post Mortem&nbsp;found traces of the H3N2 virus in his blood.&nbsp;However, the&nbsp;fatality is yet to be verified.&nbsp;

Earlier&nbsp;too, there were claims of another&nbsp;fatality. Reports claimed that the death happened in Vadodara,&nbsp;Gujarat.&nbsp;

Of the two previously verified deaths, one was reported from Haryana, the other from Karnataka.

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Talking to PTI about the current strain, Dr Vikas Deswal, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Medanta, Gurugram said the influenza virus is the most prevalent virus that affects our respiratory system.

He explained that the virus is present in three different types: A, B, and C.

"Among these, subtype A is the most commonly found. One subtype of the influenza A virus is H3N2, which produces symptoms similar to other flu viruses such as cough, fever, cold, sore throat, fatigue, muscle pain, and respiratory complications, especially in children under two years, the elderly, and those with other medical conditions," he said.

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Deswal caution that the virus can mutate over time and that antibiotics are not effective in its treatment. He recommended that people should follow precautions such as "avoid touching surfaces, wash hands, follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, practice social distancing, wear masks, and avoid going out if experiencing viral symptoms."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Over the past few weeks, India has been witnessing a rise in influenza cases. Flu cases in the country's national capital are also witnessing a spike. As per a PTI report, hospitals in New Delhi are witnessing a close to 150 per cent spike in cases of the H3N2 virus.

Over the past few weeks, India has been witnessing a rise in influenza cases. Flu cases in the country's national capital are also witnessing a spike. As per a PTI report, hospitals in New Delhi are witnessing a close to 150 per cent spike in cases of the H3N2 virus. Amid the spike, a fatality is being reported from the country's financial capital Mumbai. If verified, it will bring the nation's death toll due to the H3N2 virus to three. As per doctors, the influenza virus triggers symptoms like fever, cold and body aches, and in some cases causes a persistent cough that can make patients extremely weak. According to a Zee News report, in India, two Influenza 'A' type strains are behind this rise in flu cases. H3N2 has emerged as the dominant subtype of flu, it is followed by H1N1. Watch | India: Two die as H3N2 influenza cases rise The nation has already confirmed two deaths due to H3N2, and as per reports, there has been another death. As per reports, the alleged third death is of a 23-year-old MBBS student. The man, a student at a private institution, is believed to have caught the virus while out with friends. Reportedly, his health deteriorated after coming back from a trip to Alibaug in Konkan. Post Mortem found traces of the H3N2 virus in his blood. However, the fatality is yet to be verified. Earlier too, there were claims of another fatality. Reports claimed that the death happened in Vadodara, Gujarat. Of the two previously verified deaths, one was reported from Haryana, the other from Karnataka. Also read | India reports third death from H3N2 flu, this time in Gujarat state Talking to PTI about the current strain, Dr Vikas Deswal, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Medanta, Gurugram said the influenza virus is the most prevalent virus that affects our respiratory system. He explained that the virus is present in three different types: A, B, and C. "Among these, subtype A is the most commonly found. One subtype of the influenza A virus is H3N2, which produces symptoms similar to other flu viruses such as cough, fever, cold, sore throat, fatigue, muscle pain, and respiratory complications, especially in children under two years, the elderly, and those with other medical conditions," he said. Also read | H3N2 Influenza changing pattern unexpectedly: Experts warn more hospitalisations Deswal caution that the virus can mutate over time and that antibiotics are not effective in its treatment. He recommended that people should follow precautions such as "avoid touching surfaces, wash hands, follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, practice social distancing, wear masks, and avoid going out if experiencing viral symptoms." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Third person reportedly dies in Mumbai as H3N2 cases rise in India

After India, Singapore is also reporting a rising number of&nbsp;Influenza A H3N2,&nbsp;a subtype of a virus that causes flu.&nbsp; According to the weekly bulletin from the Ministry of Health for February 19 to 25, of the 96 specimens that tested positive for influenza on January, 37 had influenza A H3N2,&nbsp;reports The Straits Times newspaper.

Since December, India has been witnessing rising cases of intense cough and fever in many parts of the country. Months on, the doctors were trying to figure out what type of disease has caused a spike in the cases.

But on March 4, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)—India’s top medical research body—came out with its report linking&nbsp;these cases to Influenza A H3N2, a subtype of a virus that causes flu.

Though the strain is said to be not life-threatening except in rare cases, doctors say that it is leading to respiratory issues in some patients. They believe that the strain is more virulent this season.

“This subtype appears to cause more hospitalisations than other influenza subtypes,” the ICMR said on March 4, according to the Hindu newspaper.

The health agency noted that among those patients who are hospitalised of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), about 92 per cent had fever, 86 per cent cough and 27 per cent breathlessness. While ten per cent needed oxygen and seven per cent required intensive care unit care.

It also said that the virus appeared to lead to more hospitalisations than other Influenza subtypes.

“Also, 16 per cent had signs of pneumonia and 6 per cent presented with seizures, the ICMR has stated.

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Major metropolitan cities in India, including Delhi and Mumbai, are reporting cases related to this influence strain. The southern Andhra Pradesh state has even started door-to-door checking to detect the bug early.

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Symptoms include diarrhoea, chills, fatigue, body and muscle aches, loss of appetite and dry cough. Some patients even suffer from conjunctivitis.

(With inputs from agencies)

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After India, Singapore is also reporting a rising number of Influenza A H3N2, a subtype of a virus that causes flu. According to the weekly bulletin from the Ministry of Health for February 19 to 25, of the 96 specimens that tested positive for influenza on January, 37 had influenza A H3N2, reports The Straits Times newspaper.

After India, Singapore is also reporting a rising number of Influenza A H3N2, a subtype of a virus that causes flu. According to the weekly bulletin from the Ministry of Health for February 19 to 25, of the 96 specimens that tested positive for influenza on January, 37 had influenza A H3N2, reports The Straits Times newspaper. Since December, India has been witnessing rising cases of intense cough and fever in many parts of the country. Months on, the doctors were trying to figure out what type of disease has caused a spike in the cases. But on March 4, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)—India’s top medical research body—came out with its report linking these cases to Influenza A H3N2, a subtype of a virus that causes flu. Though the strain is said to be not life-threatening except in rare cases, doctors say that it is leading to respiratory issues in some patients. They believe that the strain is more virulent this season. “This subtype appears to cause more hospitalisations than other influenza subtypes,” the ICMR said on March 4, according to the Hindu newspaper. The health agency noted that among those patients who are hospitalised of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), about 92 per cent had fever, 86 per cent cough and 27 per cent breathlessness. While ten per cent needed oxygen and seven per cent required intensive care unit care. It also said that the virus appeared to lead to more hospitalisations than other Influenza subtypes. “Also, 16 per cent had signs of pneumonia and 6 per cent presented with seizures, the ICMR has stated. Also read | Campa Cola returns | Reliance announces relaunch of iconic beverage brand Major metropolitan cities in India, including Delhi and Mumbai, are reporting cases related to this influence strain. The southern Andhra Pradesh state has even started door-to-door checking to detect the bug early. Also read | Albanese in India LIVE | Australian PM pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat Symptoms include diarrhoea, chills, fatigue, body and muscle aches, loss of appetite and dry cough. Some patients even suffer from conjunctivitis. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

After India, Singapore too reports rising cases of H3N2 influenza

&nbsp;

A new range of universal flu vaccines have been developed by scientists which can protect against influenza virus.&nbsp;

They have developed two types of vaccines, a universal one which offers protecting against 88 per cent of know strains and another meant to tackle 95 per cent of recognised influenza strain in the US.&nbsp;

Influenza is contagious and usually spreads through coughing and sneezing. &nbsp;Children and elderly are severly affected and complications can also lead to death.&nbsp;

According to the World Health Organization, symptoms include: high fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat and rhinitis.&nbsp;

(WION)

Two types of influenza vaccine is developed, one is universal and the other protects against influenza virus particular to the US

A new range of universal flu vaccines have been developed by scientists which can protect against influenza virus. They have developed two types of vaccines, a universal one which offers protecting against 88 per cent of know strains and another meant to tackle 95 per cent of recognised influenza strain in the US. Influenza is contagious and usually spreads through coughing and sneezing. Children and elderly are severly affected and complications can also lead to death. According to the World Health Organization, symptoms include: high fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat and rhinitis. (WION)

Universal vaccine developed to protect against influenza