MUMBAI: ‘Viral fever’ cases are increasing not only in Mumbai, but across Maharashtra and the country. Apart from the influenza A and B viruses, there is now a new subvariant (EG.5.1) of the Covid-causing SARS-CoV-2 virus in the UK and in Maharashtra. A national survey finds many households have more than one patient with cough, cold and fever, but doctors say the symptoms are not severe enough to merit hospitalisation in a majority of cases.
Flu in the air
In March, the Union government said that three viruses from the flu/influenza A and B families — A H1N1pdm09, A H3N2 and B Victoria — were causing a national surge in fever cases.
There is an outbreak of influenza in the city, but we are also seeing Covid cases… But EG.5.1 is unlikely to cause a big surge or severity in cases. Few need hospitalization.
Dr Pratit Samdani | Breach Candy Hospital
Viral fever
Proportions of households that have one or more members with viral/Covid-like symptoms:
| Maharashtra | 16% |
| Delhi-NCR | 21% |
| Karnataka | 33% |
(The date is based on survey of 20,000 people by community social media platform Local Circles)
Given the rise of Eris variant of Covid in several countries and flights running, it may be a good practice to mask.
Sachin Taparia | Local Circles
