Bengaluru: First death in the country due to H3N2, also known as Hong Kong Flu, has been registered in Hassan district of Karnataka

The patient was admitted to a hospital on Feb 24 and died on March 1.

However, the sample sent for the test was confirmed on Mar 6, according to health ministry.

The deceased has been identified as Hire Gowda who is the son of 82 years old Halage Gowda.

Hire Gowda was suffering from diabetes and hypertension.

The H3N2 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus that can cause respiratory illness in humans.

The virus attacks the respiratory system of the body, leading to symptoms which look like the flu.

Apart from causing flu-like symptoms, H3N2 influenza is also highly contagious. It can spread easily through the air from an infected person to a healthy person.

(With UNI inputs)