News
Be alert for Influenza
The monsoon is here and with it comes the spread of influenza (flu).
“A slight rise in the cases of influenza has been recorded in May,” says Consultant Medical Virologist Dr. Jude Jayamaha of the Department of Virology, Medical Research Institute (MRI).
The dominant type doing the rounds in the past three weeks is Influenza A and sub-type H3N2 and to a lesser extent Influenza B, the MRI’s National Influenza Laboratory has found. From January to May 20, this year, 397 samples have been tested from hospitals all over Sri Lanka and 35 were detected as Influenza A and just 3 as Influenza B.
“Since May 1, there have been nine cases of influenza and during this period five expectant mothers had also been affected and been admitted to hospital with cough, cold and abnormal sounds in the lungs (crepitation – crackling or rattling sounds). They have now recovered,” said Dr. Jayamaha.
Explaining that influenza around this time is not “unusual”, he says that in tropical Sri Lanka there is an expected peak in May-June-July coinciding with the monsoon. The other peak is usually in November-December-January, once again when the country experiences the other monsoon.
He says that, however, during 2020 and 2021 when COVID-19 was rampant, the spread of influenza was kept at bay due to the stringent precautions such as face-mask wearing, hand-washing and social distancing that people were following.
Looking at the earlier outbreaks of influenza, Dr. Jayamaha points out that different types “take turns” and the outbreaks in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018 were all due to the sub-type of H1N1 of Influenza A. This year, the predominant strain in Sri Lanka so far is H3N2, like the trend being seen in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Sometimes the influenza strain in Sri Lanka could be the same as that in the region or it can vary. This year it is similar. 
Referring to the dangers that could arise, this Virologist says that even though there have been no laboratory-confirmed deaths of influenza, it is early stages of the season. Usually, in any given year one type or other of influenza can circulate and people acquire short-term immunity.
But when influenza went down in 2020 and 2021, people’s immunity against influenza may have dropped. Therefore, this year people may experience more severe bouts of influenza.
“It is difficult to predict and that’s why there is a need to be alert,”stresses Dr. Jayamaha, explaining that preventive measures against COVID-19 would help immensely in curbing the spread of this respiratory disease too.
With the symptoms of influenza being fever, cough and cold, he urges people to seek medical advice if they come down with these symptoms.
“Your doctor will decide to rule out COVID-19 through an RT-PCR test, as the symptoms of the new coronavirus too are similar. The testing for influenza, once again through a different RT-PCR test, is optional because it is not a major public health threat,” he says.
The treatment for influenza would be based on symptoms – with paracetamol to bring down the fever, adequate rest and lots of fluids.
Dr. Jayamaha assures that influenza surveillance has been activated since November 2021 at 19 sentinel sites across the country. This assists the Epidemiology Unit and the MRI to get an early warning of any changes especially with regard to new variants.
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