H3N2 flu: Puducherry govt declares holiday for schools from March 16 to 26

Puducherry: The Puducherry government on Wednesday announced a holiday for all schools up to Class 8 from March 16 to March 26 in view of the spread of the H3N2 influenza virus in the Union Territory. The order will be in force for schools in all four regions of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam in the Union Territory in view of the prevalence of the viral subtype of influenza, particularly among children.

Speaking in the Assembly during zero hour, Home and Education Minister A Nammasivayam said in view of the spread of the influenza particularly among children, the government decided to declare a holiday for all schools including privately-managed institutions and government-aided schools from primary class to Class 8. The UT health department had stated on March 11 that Puducherry reported 79 virus cases belonging to the viral H3N2 subtype till March 4.