In a written reply, the Health and Family Welfare ministry categorically stated in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that according to data provided by states and UTs, a total of 1317 cases of H3N2 were reported in the country between 1 January to 21 March, 2023. Since the 1968 pandemic, the H3N2 influenza virus has been spreading as a seasonal influenza virus throughout the world. The current H3N2 strain has always been communicable to people.
The ministry was replying to questions raised by MP Kartikeya Sharma on Wednesday. The MP asked whether India is ready for another pandemic, the H3N2 virus, which is transmissible among humans.
Antigenic drift and antigenic shift are terms for the possibility of influenza viruses changing over time. However, the current strain is a seasonal influenza virus, and the Pan-India ILI/SARI surveillance has not detected any unusual viruses.
Kartikeya Sharma, a Rajya Sabha member, asked another question about whether the government has taken any measures to prevent future outbreaks. The Health and Family Welfare Ministry declared that every precaution is being taken to shield the nation from any future public health crises.
The ministry further added that PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) has been launched with an aim to support states in terms of setting up integrated public health labs, surveillance networks, establishing critical care blocks, & upgrading research infrastructure, besides providing funds under various other schemes, including the National Health Mission (NHM).
