79 cases of H3N2 influenza reported till now in Puducherry: Official
Puducherry, Mar 11: Puducherry has reported 79 cases of influenza cases belonging to the viral H3N2 subtype so far, a health official said on Saturday.
In a press release, the Union Territory's Director of Medical Services G Sriramulu stated that the count of H3N2 cases, a subtype of seasonal influenza, were reported till March 4 in Puducherry, but there was no death due to the virus in the UT till now.
Advising people not to panic, the official said the health department has made arrangements at hospitals and primary health centres to keep a check on rising cases. Special booths were opened in the outpatient departments (OPDs) in the hospitals and treatment was also available for those turning up with symptoms of the influenza virus, he said.
"We have taken all preventive steps to ensure that the virus does not spread," Sriramulu said asking the public to follow guidelines that were recommended for the Covid pandemic, including washing hands, wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.
He, however, said an ICMR report has pointed out that H3N2 cases would go down by the end of March.
H3N2 is a non-human influenza virus that normally circulates in pigs and has infected humans, according to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu viruses and can include fever and respiratory symptoms such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, including body ache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Palaniswami rules out power-sharing in TN with BJP after 2026 polls, contradicts NDA ally: Report
Chennai: Days after the AIADMK formally rejoined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) made it clear that no coalition government will be formed in Tamil Nadu following the 2026 Assembly elections, directly contradicting a recent assertion by senior BJP leader Amit Shah.
Palaniswami's remarks contradict Shah’s statement made in Chennai on April 11, where the Union Minister had said that a coalition government led by the AIADMK would soon come to power in the state.
Addressing reporters at the State Secretariat, EPS asserted that Shah’s remarks were being misinterpreted. “He didn’t say it would be a coalition government. You are misinterpreting and trying to play tricks. Please stop that,” Palaniswami was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.
Clarifying further, the former Chief Minister emphasised that Shah’s remarks merely indicated that the “AIADMK-BJP alliance” would form the government, and not that there would be a power-sharing arrangement. Palaniswami emphasised that while the alliance would be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the national level, it would be led by him in Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile, senior AIADMK leaders told The Indian Express that EPS’s clarification was prompted by significant internal feedback. “There were several calls and feedback messages from our leaders and well-wishers who believed Shah’s speech hinted at some form of power-sharing. That’s why he had to say it clearly on Wednesday,” IE report quoted one party leader as saying.
Though the BJP has not issued an official response to EPS’s comments, party insiders reportedly said EPS’s stand was expected and no offence was taken.
