Given the high number of H3N2 cases reported in Maharashtra, the directorate of health services has issued protocols for prevention and treatment. Now, the government is planning to issue testing guidelines under which those only who are admitted to hospitals will be tested for influenza. The health department has recently discussed guidelines regarding testing, among other things, with scientists of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology, Pune.

A senior state health official said, “There has to be grade-based testing for influenza patients. We can only test ‘Category C’ patients. There is no need to test every patient and contact person. Many patients have mild symptoms and recover at home and there is no need for admission. There are medicines available that are effective. We are planning to test only hospitalised (IPD and ICU) patients.