The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has issued an advisory to hospitals across the province, warning of a possible outbreak of seasonal influenza (H3N2) and outlining guidelines for recognizing symptoms, managing patients, and conducting laboratory testing.
Under the advisory, district health officers, medical superintendents of district headquarters hospitals, and medical directors of teaching hospitals have been instructed to send samples from suspected patients to the Public Health Reference Laboratory (PHRL) at Khyber Medical University, enabling the early detection and containment of H3N2 cases.
The department explained that influenza is an acute viral respiratory illness caused by influenza A and B viruses and is responsible for annual epidemics.
Influenza A, particularly H3N2, is linked to higher transmissibility and more severe disease, especially among children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with underlying medical conditions.
According to the advisory, Pakistan is currently experiencing a rise in influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases.
A total of 340,856 suspected ILI cases have been reported nationwide, with 12 per cent testing positive for H3N2.
The department cautioned that the ongoing flu season could become severe due to limited access to healthcare, inadequate infection prevention and control practices in some settings, and low public awareness.
The advisory aims to ensure timely preventive measures and prepare health facilities for an increased patient load in outpatient and inpatient departments over the coming months.
Seasonal influenza, including H3N2, typically causes mild to moderate illness, but can progress rapidly to severe disease in high-risk individuals.
The virus spreads mainly through respiratory droplets and aerosols, as well as by touching contaminated surfaces and then the face.
Transmission is more likely in crowded or poorly ventilated environments.
High-risk groups identified in the advisory include people aged over 65, children under five, pregnant women, obese individuals, immunocompromised patients such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy, and people with chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.
The department stressed that early diagnosis, timely treatment, and vaccination can significantly reduce influenza-related complications and deaths.
Preventive measures recommended include frequent hand washing with soap and water, use of hand sanitiser when soap is unavailable, covering the mouth and nose with the elbow while coughing or sneezing, and avoiding close contact with others.
Individuals with flu-like symptoms have been advised to stay home, rest, avoid crowds, and observe social distancing until fully recovered.
The advisory also cited World Health Organisation recommendations for seasonal influenza vaccination, prioritising pregnant women, followed by children, elderly individuals, people with chronic medical conditions, and health-care workers.
While influenza is generally self-limiting, treatment is primarily supportive.
However, for hospitalised patients with severe, complicated, or progressive illness, early antiviral therapy can reduce the duration of symptoms.
The department recommended Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) for such cases.
Enhanced surveillance has been advised for immunosuppressed individuals, pregnant women up to two weeks after delivery, people under 19 on long-term aspirin therapy, obese patients, residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities, and those with chronic cardiac, pulmonary, renal, metabolic, neurological, liver, or blood disorders.
The department added that patients suffering from ILI or SARI, with a history of fever of 100°F or higher, accompanied by cough, who require hospitalisation, should have respiratory samples collected immediately.
These samples must be placed in viral transport medium and sent to the PHRL for testing.