NEW DELHI - Since December, a mysterious flu bug has been going around in India, with those affected complaining of persistent cough and weakness.
Now the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has identified a specific strain of influenza - a subtype of H3N2 - which has been causing the spike in cases.
Doctors say the strain appears to be more virulent this season.
"This subtype appears to cause more hospitalisations than other influenza subtypes," said the ICMR last Friday.
According to the ICMR, among those hospitalised, 92 per cent had fever, 86 per cent cough and 27 per cent breathlessness. Ten per cent needed oxygen and seven per cent required intensive care unit care.
According to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), a national voluntary organisation of physicians, the cough can persist up to two weeks.
While doctors say that the influenza strain is not life-threatening except in extreme cases, it is also leading to respiratory issues in some patients.
Dit verhaal komt uit de March 08, 2023 editie van The Straits Times.
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