India is seeing a rise in swine flu infections, prompting health advisories and increased surveillance as health authorities track the viruses currently circulating across the country.
Delhi has reported
2,308 cases of swine flu, with the number described as around eight times higher on average than in previous years. The rise has led the Delhi government to issue a public advisory urging people to take precautions, particularly in crowded places.
Around 650 cases of flu have also been recorded, ICMR Director Rajiv Bahl said on Tuesday.
Delhi Government On Alert
The Delhi Health Department is continuously monitoring the situation and the government said it is fully alert and prepared to deal with the disease.
The government has completed the necessary preparations to ensure adequate healthcare services, while people have been urged to take precautions against swine flu.
Dr Pankaj Singh said there was no need to panic. The government has also appealed to people to remain alert rather than panic.
The public advisory has urged people to wear masks in crowded places and follow basic respiratory hygiene measures.
H1N1 Circulating Across India
Rajiv Bahl explained that India’s surveillance system has been strengthened since the Covid pandemic, allowing authorities to identify viruses circulating in the country in real time.
“The first thing is.. how do we know which virus is circulating. Post covid we have really enhanced our ability to detect in real time what’s happening in India,” Bahl said.
He said surveillance takes place at multiple levels, with reports coming from states on recurring infections and laboratory reports.
According to Bahl, there are 73 laboratories across India involved in the surveillance system.
He said 25 samples are tested every week from cases involving severe acute respiratory infections and others, with testing covering all viruses.
Three Viruses Being Detected
Bahl said the surveillance data currently shows a high level of H1N1 circulation. “So at the current moment, the respiratory surveillance shows us that there’s a lot of circling H1n1,” he said.
Influenza B is also being detected, although Bahl said it is not the dominant virus at present. Some Covid cases are also being reported.
He said the current situation involves a mix of influenza A, influenza B and Covid infections.
The data is monitored on a week-to-week basis, allowing health authorities to track changes in the viruses circulating across the country.
Surveillance Tracks Multiple Infections
Bahl said the surveillance system is not limited to respiratory infections. Similar systems are also used to monitor diarrhoea and undifferentiated fever.
The system allows authorities to assess which viruses are circulating at any given time.
The rise in swine flu cases in Delhi has therefore been accompanied by continued monitoring of respiratory infections nationally.
The Delhi government has maintained that it is prepared to deal with the increase in cases and has completed the necessary preparations for healthcare services.
Authorities have urged people to remain alert, follow precautions and avoid panic as surveillance continues.
