Now Reading: ICMR says no new H1N1 strain as cases surge in India
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ICMR says no new H1N1 strain as cases surge in India
H1N1 influenza is spreading rapidly through Indian households, with doctors reporting a pattern where one family member falls sick and others follow days later. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has…
H1N1 influenza is spreading rapidly through Indian households, with doctors reporting a pattern where one family member falls sick and others follow days later. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has clarified that the virus currently circulating is not a new strain but is consistent with seasonal influenza that has been circulating since 2025.
In Delhi alone, nearly 3,000 H1N1 cases have been recorded this year, compared to 229 in the same period last year. The rise is attributed to seasonal changes, monsoon conditions, low vaccination rates, and varying population immunity. The ICMR identified the virus as H1N1 pdm09-like, with genetic changes consistent with normal seasonal drift.
Doctors advise that infected individuals stay home and minimise contact, while households should ensure good ventilation, frequent handwashing, and covering coughs and sneezes. Those with severe symptoms, especially breathing difficulty, should seek medical attention promptly.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Seasonal influenza surveillance in India operates through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and a network of virology laboratories under ICMR. Influenza vaccination is not part of India's universal immunisation programme, and annual coverage remains below 5% of the population, compared to over 50% in countries like the US. The H1N1 pdm09 strain, which caused the 2009 pandemic, has since become a regular seasonal virus. The spike in Delhi's cases from 229 to nearly 3,000 year-on-year is steep but may partly reflect increased testing. The next key data point will be whether hospitalisation and mortality rates rise proportionally, which would indicate greater severity.
Source: timesnownews.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
