H3N2 Outbreak

March 10, 2023

Important for

Prelims: Science and Technology

Mains: General Studies III

Across India, an outbreak of a respiratory illness — with symptoms of cold, sore throat and fever accompanied by fatigue — has been observed since late December 2022 and early January 2023.
On March 4, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) confirmed that Influenza Sub-type H3N2 has been causing this illness.
In the first nine weeks of 2023, cases of H3N2 have been rising, according to ICMR data.
Since December 15, this virus has been the dominating one circulating.

There are four types of seasonal influenza viruses, types A, B, C and D.
H3N2 virus is a type of influenza virus called the influenza A virus. It is a respiratory viral infection that causes illnesses every year.
This subtype of influenza A virus was discovered in 1968 in humans.
The virus derives from types of protein strains of the influenza A virus – hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA).
HA has over 18 different subtypes, each numbered H1 to H18 while NA has 11 different subtypes, each numbered N1 to N11. The H3N2 is a combination of the two protein strains of the influenza A virus.
The symptoms of the H3N2 virus include cough, runny nose or congested nose, sore throat, headaches, body aches, fever, chills, fatigue, diarrhoea, vomiting and breathlessness.
Treatment : Regular over-the-counter medications for fever, cough or headaches can be consumed to relieve the symptoms. Annual flu shots for the influenza virus should be administered and taken around this time.

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