Centre asks states to step up surveillance as H1N1 cases surge in Delhi, adjoining areas

NEW DELHI: As H1N1 virus, often known as swine flu, rages in the country, especially in Delhi and adjoining areas, the centre on Friday asked states to closely monitor influenza trends, identify and rapidly manage any unusual rise or clustering of cases.

Key points

• AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj asserted a number of individuals are suffering from flu-like symptoms.
• Throughout Delhi, an alarmingly high number of residents, especially school-going children, are suffering from high-grade fever, cough and flu-like symptoms.
• At the session, which was additionally attended by Delhi Health Minister Dr.
• "Early diagnosis and timely medical care can significantly improve outcomes, and there is no need for patients to delay seeking medical attention out of fear, " Dr Kaur remarked.
• He remarked changes in weather, spending more time in enclosed and crowded spaces, and continued transmission within the community can contribute to a rise in cases.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda. This person held a review session of the prevailing situation, especially in the national capital, which has recorded over 1, 700 cases of swine flu this year, called on continued strengthening of early detection, timely testing and appropriate clinical management of influenza cases.

At the session, which was additionally attended by Delhi Health Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, Nadda reviewed the preparedness of healthcare facilities in the national capital, including the availability of hospital beds, critical care facilities, oxygen-supported beds, ventilators, essential medicines, diagnostics, and other critical supplies.

Stressing the importance of adequate surge capacity and seamless referral mechanisms, particularly for patients requiring specialised or critical care, he pressed continued strengthening of early detection, timely testing and appropriate clinical management of influenza cases, along with effective utilisation of the existing surveillance and laboratory network.

In practice, the minister pressed a proactive and preparedness-oriented approach by state governments, with active participation of municipal councillors and other local bodies in generating awareness among communities on the prevention, spread and control of seasonal diseases.

Nadda additionally emphasised public awareness and preventive health practices, including respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene, and advised individuals with persistent or severe respiratory symptoms, breathing difficulty or other warning signs to seek medical advice promptly.

Notably, the minister reviewed the national surveillance and epidemiological situation, Influenza-like illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) trends, testing and laboratory surveillance, and preparedness of healthcare facilities to manage seasonal influenza cases.

Nadda emphasised the need for continued vigilance, robust surveillance and proactive preparedness, with close monitoring of influenza trends and timely identification and management of any unusual growth or clustering of cases.

He reiterated that the situation is being closely and continuously monitored, while emphasising the need for sustained and coordinated efforts for the prevention and control of seasonal diseases, including dengue and malaria. It is additionally seeing a surge in cases.

"The ministry continues to coordinate closely with states/UTs, hospitals, laboratories and other stakeholders to ensure effective surveillance, early detection, timely clinical management and proactive preparedness for seasonal influenza, including H1N1, " authorities went on.

Earlier, the Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava, had written to all states and UTs advising them to strengthen preparedness and surveillance for Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) and ensure healthcare facilities remain adequately prepared.

According to Dr. Harpreet Kaur, Medical Superintendent, Head, Lab Services and Blood Centre Transfusion Medicine and Blood banking, Haematology, Cytopathology, Aakash Healthcare, they are seeing a definite spike in dengue and H1N1 cases throughout Delhi.

Continued Dr. As well as through close contact, manav Manchanda, Director and Head, Respiratory, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Asian Hospital, swine flu is a contagious viral illness that can spread rapidly through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party on Friday expressed concern over the "alarmingly high" number of swine flu cases in the capital, saying the Delhi administration should proactively spread public awareness in this regard to curb infections.

"Throughout Delhi, an alarmingly high number of residents, especially school-going children, are suffering from high-grade fever, cough and flu-like symptoms. Some say it's H1N1, " Bharadwaj remarked in a post on X.

"I don't see serious efforts by the government in this regard, " he alleged, asserting that the administration should spread awareness and ensure availability of medicines at hospitals and dispensaries.

"To my understanding, it is highly contagious and spreading like corona. Once a family member gets it, almost everyone gets sick in turn, " Bharadwaj remarked.

In short, centre asks states to step up surveillance as H1N1 cases surge in is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.