The National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad has clarified that a strain of influenza virus is responsible for causing severe respiratory illness in adults throughout Pakistan, not COVID-19.
The health institute disclosed that the H3N2 sub-type of Influenza-A virus is contributing to the increasing number of influenza-like illness (ILI) cases reported daily across the country. Meanwhile, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is identified as the cause of illness among children nationwide, as emphasized by NIH officials. They strongly urged the public to adopt precautionary measures, including proper coughing etiquette, to safeguard against respiratory illnesses.
Contrary to popular belief associating respiratory illnesses with COVID-19, a senior official revealed, “No, it is not COVID-19 that is causing sickness in Pakistan currently. Our surveillance and testing indicate that it is the H3N2 sub-type of Influenza-A responsible for illnesses in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, numerous cities in Sindh, and most of Punjab these days.”
The health official dispelled misconceptions, pointing out that COVID-19 positivity remained below 1% in the past week, with only 16 cases detected across Pakistan after conducting 3,609 tests. Many individuals were neither undergoing testing for COVID-19 nor for influenza-like illness, he added.
The NIH official noted the occurrence of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to NIH data, approximately 46,000 ILI cases were reported nationwide during the 49th week of the year, with the highest number in Sindh (over 25,000 cases), followed by KP (8,354 cases), Balochistan (7,856 cases), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (3,619 cases).
However, Punjab, the province reporting the majority of respiratory illnesses, did not share its data with NIH Islamabad, leaving authorities unaware of the respiratory disease burden in the region.
In response to the influenza outbreak, infectious diseases expert Dr. Faisal Sultan highlighted that influenza diagnoses were more prevalent due to increased PCR availability at many centers. He noted the prolonged convalescence associated with influenza and emphasized that vulnerable populations might experience complications, such as bacterial pneumonia.
Health experts and pulmonologists in Karachi supported the observation that influenza A was more commonly detected in the city than COVID-19, causing severe disease in elderly individuals with comorbidities. They advised against using antibiotics for flu treatment and suggested the use of antiviral medicine Tammy Flu for hospitalized adults.
Regarding the availability of flu shots, Dr. Raeef Ahmed, a pulmonologist in Karachi, mentioned that the vaccine was not currently available in the market, and it was somewhat late to get vaccinated against the flu.
Renowned epidemiologist Dr. Rana Muhammad Safdar urged the public to adopt precautions similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent respiratory illnesses. He emphasized the impact of poor air quality and smog on respiratory health, clarifying that flu viruses, not COVID-19, were causing sickness. Safdar recommended gargling with lukewarm salt water before bedtime to reduce the risk of throat infections.