Bengaluru: The state govt will hold a meeting with health officials this week to take stock of the H1N1 situation, with Karnataka’s tally crossing 4,000 cases this year, including more than 2,000 reported from Bengaluru alone.
Health minister U T Khader said surveillance and preparedness will be among the key issues to be discussed at the meeting, amid concern over the spread of the seasonal flu in Bengaluru.
Karnataka recorded 4,583 H1N1 cases during the whole of 2025. This year’s tally has already reached 4,125, with the seasonal peak expected to taper off only in Sept. Udupi has reported 293 cases, followed by Mysuru with 184.
The concern intensified this week after a city school was shut following H1N1 cases among its students. Health department data shows the Greater Bengaluru Authority area has reported 2,033 cases so far, while Bengaluru Urban district has recorded another 982. Together, the two areas account for more than half of Karnataka’s cases this year.
Doctors suspect the actual number of infections could be higher than reported, given that many people with mild symptoms may not undergo testing.
Dr Veena, deputy director of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), said there was no need for panic, as surveillance mechanisms were already in place. “There is no need for panic with respect to H1N1. Surveillance is already in place and there is only a slight increase in cases compared to the previous year,” she said, stressing the need for greater awareness about hygiene and infection-control measures.
She also ruled out concerns over a mutant strain, saying laboratories had not detected anything unusual in the influenza A virus.
Explaining the mode of transmission, she said respiratory droplets could settle on surfaces and infect people who touch them and then fail to wash their hands before touching their face.
The health ministry, in an advisory posted on X, said H1N1 can cause fever, cough, sore throat, headache, runny nose, body aches and fatigue, and advised people with persistent symptoms to seek medical attention. Officials have also been asked to keep hospital logistics and other resources ready for admissions, including severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases, as several cities are reporting an increase in influenza cases.
