Guwahati: The National Health Mission confirmed that the first H3N2 influenza was detected in Assam on Wednesday.

The Health Department was keeping a close watch on the situation in the state through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network on a real-time basis, official said.

In accordance with the guidelines formulated by the Centre and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the district surveillance officers under the IDSP network are fully geared to meet this public health challenge in Assam, official added.

As per NHM, influenza cases are typically seen to increase during certain months of the year in globally. While India usually witnesses two peaks of seasonal influenza: one from January to March and the other one in the post-monsoon season.”

The NHM further added that at the March-end, the cases arising from seasonal influenza are expected to decline.

The NHM said the disease transmission is mostly airborne from person to person through large droplets generated by coughing and sneezing.

“In most of the cases, the disease is self-limiting with symptoms of cough and cold, body ache and fever, etc, and usually resolves within a week or so,” the bulletin said.

However, potential high-risk groups like infants, young children, pregnant women, elderly above the age of 65 years and people with comorbidities might experience more symptomatic illness requiring hospitalization also, it said.

The Health Department is focussing on awareness generation for practicing hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette by the people.