India, Aug. 25 -- The Delhi government is likely to discuss the recent rise in H1N1 infections at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, amid increasing influenza-A cases reported across the capital and directions to strengthen surveillance and preparedness at hospitals. Health Minister Pankaj Singh has directed chief district medical officers, district surveillance officers and hospitals to step up the screening, reporting and monitoring of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). The directions came after Singh participated in a health review meeting chaired by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda, who called for sustained surveillance, vigilance and early clinical intervention to prevent further transmission. Delhi health authorities have reported 2,392 influenza-A cases this year, including 1,777 H1N1 infections. Also Read - AAP accuses BJP of failing city amid widespread waterlogging Advertisement An official said technical protocols covering patient categorisation, treatment, ventilatory support, mask use and home-based care have already been shared with healthcare facilities. "Healthcare workers are being sensitised and trained on symptoms and follow-up protocols," the official said. Singh said there had been a "definite rise" in cases, with several patients reporting high-grade fever, but said authorities had not received reports of patients requiring ICU admission or ventilator support. He earlier said the government was prepared to handle the situation and maintained that there was no shortage of beds, doctors, medicines or essential medical equipment. Also Read - Schools may have to reserve 15% FAR for extracurriculars The minister has also urged residents to take basic precautions, including maintaining hand hygiene, wearing masks in crowded places, avoiding close contact with people suffering from respiratory infections and consulting doctors instead of self-medicating. However, the current numbers remain below some of Delhi's previous major H1N1 outbreaks. According to NCDC data, the city reported 4,307 cases in 2015, 3,627 in 2019 and 3,151 in 2024. Delhi recorded 31 H1N1 deaths in 2019, but has reported no deaths from the infection since then, including during the 2024 outbreak. Doctors said the increase this year could be linked to multiple factors, while stressing the importance of monitoring the trend and identifying severe cases early.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.