Overview
- Delhi has recorded about 2,308 H1N1 infections and roughly 3,000 total influenza A and B cases so far in 2026, a large year‑on‑year rise from the same period last year.
- ICMR Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl said the virus is the established H1N1 pdm09 lineage with no new strain detected, and most infections are mild and self‑limiting.
- Health officials held high‑level reviews that directed hospitals to set up fever clinics, earmark isolation beds, increase nasal‑swab sampling and ensure antiviral stocks and staffing.
- Reference and private labs have reported elevated H1N1 positivity—Agilus Diagnostics recorded nearly a 30% positivity rate among tested samples—so testing of symptomatic and high‑risk patients has been stepped up.
- Doctors warn children, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses face higher risk so they should seek early care and discuss vaccination, while authorities will continue close surveillance to spot severe cases or changes in trends.