And now, H3N2 cases reported in Bengaluru

Even as the health ministry is focusing on containing the spread of Influenza-A (H1N1) in Karnataka, cases of a different strain of the same virus (H3N2 and Influenza-B), were reported among the tested swab samples, at Bengaluru laboratories.

Dr G Arun Kumar, professor, Manipal Centre for virus research (MCVR) said that they had received samples where patients tested positive for H3N2 and Influenza B. This illness is equally harmful he added.

“The government is focusing only on H1N1, but there are patients with other kinds of influenzas too. They could test negative for H1N1 but positive for the other strain of the virus. The line of treatment and care is the same, for the second strain also. The government should focus on other types of influenzas too,” he added.

Dr V Ravi, professor, department of Neurovirology, NIMHANS, too, confirmed that among the many samples they received, they too, found three samples testing positive for Influenza B.

H and N, proteins found in the virus, stand for hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.

Besides H1N1, tested swab samples confirmed the presence of H3N2 and Influenza B. Experts said, that the government could be ignoring H3N2 cases.