H3N2 virus live updates: 2 senior citizens become first H3N2 virus-related casualties in Pune

A 73-year-old man suffering from chronic lung disease and heart ailment is among the two suspected H3N2 casualties in Pune so far, officials said on Thursday.Dr Rajendra Wabale, dean of Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital, said the patient died on Thursday. “He was admitted at our hospital on March 7 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. He also suffered from atrial fibrillation (an irregular and rapid heart rhythm that can lead to blood clots in the heart). We had sent his sample to NIV and it has confirmed now that he suffered from H3N2 infection,” he said.The other suspected H3N2 casualty, a 67-year-old man, was declared dead on March 11. Dr Suryakant Devkar, PMC’s assistant health officer, said, “The patient was reported dead on March 11. However, the Form D from the private hospital where he was undergoing treatment was received by us only on March 14. We have informed the state health department about it. The patient also suffered from diabetes and hypertension. The private hospital confirmed the H3N2 infection at its in-house laboratory. ”