The Delhi government has issued a health advisory urging residents to follow respiratory hygiene, avoid crowded places and seek timely medical attention as H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, cases continue to rise in the national capital.
According to health department data cited by PTI, Delhi has reported 2,602 influenza cases this year, including 2,392 Influenza-A cases and 210 Influenza-B cases, as of Friday. Of the Influenza-A cases, 1,777 were H1N1. The department reported 159 new influenza cases on Thursday, including 114 H1N1 cases.
Delhi swine flu advisory: What people should do
The health department has advised people to cover their mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing and wash their hands regularly with soap and water. Residents have also been asked to wear masks in crowded places and avoid close contact with people suffering from respiratory illnesses.
People have been advised not to touch their eyes, nose or mouth unnecessarily, avoid spitting in public places and maintain adequate fluid intake.
The advisory also urged people experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulty, body ache or headache to seek medical advice promptly rather than taking medicines without consulting a doctor.
H1N1 cases dominate Delhi's influenza tally
Of the 2,392 Influenza-A cases reported in Delhi this year, 1,777 are H1N1 cases, while 37 are H1 and 138 are H3 cases. Another 440 cases have been classified as other Influenza-A infections.
The Influenza-B tally includes 200 Victoria strain cases and 10 other cases.
On Thursday, Delhi recorded 155 Influenza-A cases, including 114 H1N1 cases, two H1 cases, one H3 case and 38 other Influenza-A cases. Four Influenza-B cases were also reported.
Delhi hospitals prepared to handle seasonal influenza
The health department said Delhi is fully prepared to deal with the seasonal increase in influenza cases, with adequate beds, doctors, medicines and essential medical equipment available across hospitals.
A total of 35 hospitals have been placed under special surveillance, while two referral laboratories at AIIMS and the National Centre for Disease Control have been designated for testing and monitoring.
Technical guidelines have also been issued covering patient categorisation, treatment protocols, ventilatory management, mask use and home care.
Hospitals asked to monitor flu and respiratory infections
The department has issued advisories to chief district medical officers, district surveillance officers and hospitals on screening, reporting and monitoring cases of influenza-like illness (ILI), severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), influenza and COVID-19 through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).
Healthcare workers are also being trained on existing guidelines, symptoms and signs of respiratory illnesses and the follow-up measures required for patients.
Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh attended a meeting chaired by Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Friday to review the capital's preparedness for seasonal influenza and vector-borne diseases.
Singh said there was no shortage of beds, doctors, medicines or essential medical equipment in Delhi, adding that patient numbers were being monitored and hospital arrangements were being strengthened according to requirements.
Delhi monitoring influenza cases daily
The Delhi State Health Mission is monitoring the influenza situation through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), with daily data on influenza, ILI and SARI cases being tracked through the IDSP-IHIP portal.
A daily bulletin is prepared and shared with senior authorities, while daily review meetings are being held with chief district medical officers to assess the situation.
An inter-sectoral meeting was also held on August 20 with officials from the MCD, NDMC, Cantonment Board, Education Department and DDA. The departments were directed to strengthen public awareness and information, education and communication measures to prevent and control seasonal influenza.
Health facilities and hospitals are conducting awareness sessions in outpatient departments and displaying IEC material. A refresher training session for district officers was held on August 17 to discuss the current influenza situation, case definitions and treatment.
Who is most vulnerable to seasonal influenza?
Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that circulate worldwide. Young children and elderly people with underlying health conditions are among those considered more vulnerable to severe infection, according to the health department.
India generally experiences two seasonal influenza peaks each year, between January and March and during the post-monsoon period.
While H1N1 is the predominant influenza subtype in Delhi this year, H3N2 was the predominant subtype in the capital last year, the department said.
The health authorities said surveillance guidelines remain in place throughout the year, with measures being taken to monitor, prevent and control the spread of influenza.
