Rise in H3N2 influenza cases in Kanpur sparks concern, 50 hospitalised in a day

Amid rising cases of viral infection, 50 confirmed patients of H3N2 influenza, were admitted to Kanpur's Hallet hospital in just a day.

Cases with flu-like symptoms, including high fever, persistent cough and acute respiratory issues, have been reported in Kanpur in large numbers (Photo: File/Pixabay)

By Simer Chawla: After the Covid-19 pandemic, the rising cases of H3N2 influenza cases in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur raised the concerns of health department officials. As many as 50 out of 200 patients were admitted in a day at Kanpur's Hallet Hospital after they complained of high fever, persistent cough and shortness of breath.

There is a long queue of patients not just outside Kanpur's biggest government (Hallet) hospital, but even private hospitals are also struggling with the same. Cases with flu-like symptoms, including high fever, persistent cough and acute respiratory issues, have been reported in Kanpur in large numbers. H3N2, a subtype of influenza A, has been spreading for over a month now.

The hospital authorities at Hallet were forced to shift patients to different wards after the emergency ward was full.

One of the family members of a patient told India Today, "The patient is having difficulty while breathing. We have come from Auraiya to Kanpur for treatment. He had fever for five to six days and also complained of cough. When he started facing difficulties in breathing, we brought him to Kanpur."

Another kin of a patient said, "We have come from Kanpur Dehat. The patient was having issues with breathing along with cough. The doctor has prescribed many tests and he is being treated."

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Richa Giri, Head of the Medicine Department of Halat Hospital, Kanpur, told India today, "Every year due to change in weather, many such cases are seen, but this time the number of patients is very high, who are suffering from cough, fever and shortness of breath."

"Talking about the last 24 hours, only 23-24 patients have been admitted complaining of difficulty in breathing, who are being given oxygen support. Some have been put on ventilators and we are also using a bipap machine on some," she added.

"It is difficult to differentiate this virus from Covid-19 and it is possible only after the test, because it is a subtype of influenza A. It becomes difficult to test it because there is a separate kit for each subtype," she said.

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