Govt issues health advisory as H1N1 cases rise

The Delhi Government has issued a health advisory urging people to follow respiratory hygiene, avoid crowded places and seek timely medical advice as cases of H1N1 (swine flu) rise in the national capital.

The advisory asks people to cover their mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, wash their hands regularly with soap and water, wear masks in crowded places and avoid close contact with people suffering from respiratory illnesses.

The Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 viruses currently circulating in the country belong to the A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus strain, sources at ICMR said. These viruses belong to clade 6B.1A.5a2a, subclade D.3.1.1, and have been in circulation since 2025.

People have also been advised to avoid touching their eyes and nose, refrain from spitting in public places and take adequate fluids. If symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulty, body ache or headache appear, seek medical advice instead of taking medicines without consulting a doctor, the advisory said.

The health department earlier said Delhi was fully prepared to deal with the seasonal rise in influenza cases, with adequate beds, doctors, medicines and essential medical equipment available in hospitals. It said 35 hospitals have been kept under special surveillance and two referral laboratories have been designated at AIIMS and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Technical guidelines covering patient categorisation, treatment protocols, ventilatory management, use of masks and home care have also been issued.

Advisories have been sent to chief district medical officers, district surveillance officers and hospitals regarding screening, reporting and monitoring of influenza-like illness (ILI), severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), influenza and COVID-19 cases on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal as per the guidelines.

Training and orientation of healthcare workers on the existing guidelines, signs and symptoms of these illnesses and the required follow-up action are also being undertaken, the department said.

According to health department data, 159 influenza cases were reported on Thursday. Of these, 155 were Influenza-A cases, including 114 H1N1, two H1, one H3 and 38 other Influenza-A cases. Four Influenza-B cases were also reported.

The total number of influenza cases reported in Delhi this year stands at 2,602, including 2,392 Influenza-A and 210 Influenza-B cases till Friday.

Among the Influenza-A cases, 1,777 are H1N1, 37 H1, 138 H3 and 440 other cases. The Influenza-B tally includes 200 Victoria strain cases and 10 other cases.

An inter-sectoral meeting was held on August 20 under the chairpersonship of the secretary, Health and Family Welfare, with officials from the MCD, NDMC, Cantonment Board, Education Department and DDA. The departments were directed to step up public awareness and information, education and communication measures for prevention and control of seasonal influenza.

Daily review meetings are also being held with all chief district medical officers under the chairpersonship of the mission director, Delhi State Health Mission, to review the influenza situation.

Health facilities and hospitals are conducting awareness activities through health talks in outpatient departments and displaying information, education, and communication (IEC) material. IEC material approved by the Centre has also been sent to local bodies and hospitals for wider circulation.