Health officials across India are concerned as the nation seems to be at the crossroads of another imminent health threat, especially West Bengal, which has been reporting deaths in recent months due to respiratory infections. Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) has resulted in parents being concerned as children less than 2 years of age are highly vulnerable to the disease.
According to reports, several deaths of children from Adenovirus has also been reported in West Bengal among the emergence of cases in Karnataka and Maharashtra as well.
The reporting of cases of different respiratory infections has not only confused individuals on social media but also worried the parents.
Adenovirus or Flu?
In the last three weeks, over 48 deaths have been reported in West Bengal. Either ARI or Adenovirus was cited as the reason for deaths.
West Bengal, which as per sources recorded the deaths of 36 children over the past nine days, has been shaken by the increase in viral cases. Although CM Mamta Banerjee has stated that only two fatalities were related to adenovirus.
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However, doctors are also reporting an increase in patients with acute respiratory symptoms of another viral infection. According to a report citing the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), it is caused due to influenza A subtype H3N2.
The Difference
Adenovirus and influenza — both can cause viral respiratory infections, which can turn fatal. However, both are distinctly different.
The common cold, bronchitis, and pneumonia are among the symptoms that the extremely contagious adenovirus can cause after infection.
Pink eye, fever, coughing, runny nose, and other symptoms are frequently brought on by adenovirus infections.
These can, however, potentially result in more severe illnesses, particularly in those with compromised immune systems.
Conversely, influenza, also known as the flu, is a respiratory infection brought on by influenza viruses. The flu is also very contagious and can be transferred through direct contact with an infected person, touching contaminated objects, or breathing in droplets.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu can manifest as symptoms including weariness, fever, sore throat, coughing up blood, and muscular aches. In some instances, it can also result in serious side effects like pneumonia, bronchitis, and even death.
One of the major differences between the both of them is that the Flu is likely to be more fatal than the Adenovirus. Although a vaccine is already available for the flu not for Adenovirus as of now.
Doctors have particularly advised maintaining healthy hygiene practices as preventive steps against Adenovirus and other respiratory infections.
Mamta Government reporting fewer deaths?
Dr Manas Gumta, General Secretary of the Association of Health Service Doctors has alleged that the TMC government in West Bengal is underreporting the number of deaths due to viral infection.
Dr Gumta further alleged that the preparations by the West Bengal government as inadequate, stating that the latter had not learnt from Covid Pandemic.
“Earlier, due to the government’s lack of preparedness in times of Covid, many people died, there was an oxygen crisis, ambulances fell short, and medicines and critical care unit ward everything ran short,” he said.
What Lies Ahead?
Even though the West Bengal government has fumbled in initial preparedness against viral respiratory infections, it’s unlikely that it would become a national health threat, like Covid-19.
The public health infrastructure, both of centre and state, has been widely upgraded since the Covid Pandemic due to the presence of more critical healthcare units and valuable experience gained in the last 2 years.