1 week ago
Delhi-NCR Flu Symptoms Rise as ICMR Reassures on H1N1
A survey found that many households in the Delhi-NCR region had people with flu-like symptoms.
About 54% of the households surveyed reported at least one sick person.
In 39% of households, two or more people were sick at the same time.
Delhi recorded 159 new influenza cases on 20 August.
Most of those cases were H1N1, also called swine flu.
However, official numbers only include people who went to hospitals or laboratories for testing.
The Indian Council of Medical Research said that no new H1N1 strain has been found in India.
It said the virus currently spreading is seasonal and there is no reason for panic.
A LocalCircles survey found flu-like symptoms in members of 54% of surveyed Delhi-NCR households.
The survey collected 32,000 responses from Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad.
Delhi recorded 159 fresh influenza cases on 20 August, including 114 H1N1 cases.
Delhi’s cumulative influenza-A tally reached 2,392 cases this year, including 1,777 H1N1 cases.
ICMR said no new H1N1 strain has been identified and urged people not to panic.
- Who
- Residents of Delhi-NCR, Delhi health authorities and scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
- What
- Flu-like symptoms and influenza cases have increased, while ICMR said no new H1N1 strain has been identified.
- Where
- Delhi-NCR, including Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad.
- When
- The survey report was published on 23 August; Delhi recorded 159 fresh cases on 20 August, and the figures cover this year.
- Why
- The rise reflects seasonal influenza transmission, while household cases may exceed official figures because people recovering at home are often not tested.
Public-health concern
Official reassurance
Extent of the outbreak
Public-health concern
The survey indicates widespread flu-like illness, with 54% of households reporting symptoms and 39% reporting two or more symptomatic members.
Official reassurance
ICMR said the circulating virus is a seasonal influenza virus and that there is no cause for panic.
Reported case numbers
Public-health concern
The survey report suggests official figures may understate infections because people who recover at home may not be tested or counted.
Official reassurance
The reported figures represent cases identified through hospitals or laboratories, while ICMR said no new strain has been detected.
Nature of the virus
Public-health concern
The predominance of H1N1 in Delhi’s reported influenza cases has raised concern amid the seasonal surge.
Official reassurance
ICMR said circulating H1N1 pdm09 viruses are similar to the A/Missouri/11/2025 H1N1 pdm09-like strain and have been circulating since 2025.
Key facts
- Households reporting symptoms
- 54% of surveyed Delhi-NCR households had at least one member with flu-like symptoms.
- Survey size
- 32,000 responses were collected across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad.
- Multiple symptomatic members
- 39% of households had two or more members with symptoms at the same time.
- Fresh cases on 20 August
- Delhi recorded 159 new influenza cases, including 114 H1N1 cases.
- Influenza-A cases this year
- Delhi reported 2,392 influenza-A cases.
- Cumulative H1N1 cases
- Delhi’s reported H1N1 tally reached 1,777 cases this year.
- ICMR assessment
- ICMR said no new H1N1 strain has been identified in India.
Quotes
A senior ICMR scientist
A senior scientist at the Indian Council of Medical Research commenting on circulating H1N1 viruses
“The influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 viruses currently circulating in India are similar to the A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus strain. These viruses belong to clade 6B.1A.5a2a and subclade D.3.1.1 and have been in circulation since 2025”
livemint.com
Sources
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