A survey conducted across Delhi NCR recently revealed that residents of around 54% households have members infected with flu, showing viral fever like symptoms at a time when H1N1 cases are on the rise. The findings of this Local Circles report published on 23 August are based on 32,000 responses collected from across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad. Around 69% respondents were men and 31% were women.
The survey further revealed that 23% households surveyed have four or more individuals currently down with flu fever like symptoms. Around 16% of the respondents were reported to have two to three symptomatic members while 15% households surveyed had at least one individual down with viral like fever. This suggests sustained transmission inside homes, implying that 39% of households surveyed had two or more members symptomatic at the same time.
The national capital registered 159 fresh influenza cases on 20 August, out of which 114 were H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, cases. With seasonal influenza in focus due to surge in cases, Delhi reported 2,392 influenza-A cases this year. This year, Delhi's cumulative swine flu tally has reached 1,777 with H1N1 being the predominant strain. At the same while H1 cases tally stood at 37, H3 at 138 and other influenza cases at 440.
It should be noted that the official case count includes only citizens who visited a hospital or laboratory to be tested. There is a shortfall in reported figures as many others who contracted the disease but recovered at home remain unaccounted.
ICMR issues statement on H1N1 virus
In the wake of rising swine flu cases, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) issued a statement on Sunday, clarifying that no new strain of influenza A (H1N1) has been identified in the country. ICMR scientists emphasized that there is no cause for panic regarding the seasonal influenza virus currently circulating.
A senior ICMR scientist said, “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,” ANI reported.
With many Delhi-NCR residents suffering from fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches, chills and fatigue, ICMR called the seasonal influenza "mostly self-limiting". According to the Council, most people recover with appropriate care and adequate rest, although young children, elderly people and individuals with underlying medical conditions remain most at risk.
