NIH says people getting sick by influenza in Pakistan, not Covid-19

The National Institute of Health (NIH) 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.

NIH 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, they added.