New Delhi: H1N1 infections are rising across the country, but there is no cause for panic as the virus circulating is the familiar H1N1 pdm09 strain that has become a seasonal influenza virus, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl said on Tuesday.
H1N1 accounts for nearly 98% of Influenza A cases currently detected in India, while H3N2 accounts for only 2-3%, Bahl said. He stressed that the rise was consistent with the seasonal pattern of influenza and did not indicate a new or more dangerous strain.
“Influenza is seasonal. It will keep coming every year,” Bahl said, stressing that the key concern should be a rise in severe cases, hospitalisations or deaths, rather than an increase in infections alone.
He said it was too early to say whether the current rise had peaked. Viral infections typically rise, reach a peak, remain at a plateau and then decline, but the timing can vary by a few weeks.
The surveillance network is testing samples from 73 sentinel hospitals for multiple respiratory viruses. The system includes testing for Influenza A and B, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus and other respiratory pathogens. A wider network of 167 virus research and diagnostic laboratories also undertakes diagnostic testing.
Bahl said there was no need to test everyone for influenza. Testing is mainly required for patients with severe disease, for whom the result can help guide treatment.
Most influenza infections are self-limiting. While most healthy people recover with supportive care, older adults, young children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people face a higher risk of complications such as pneumonia. Antiviral medicines may be prescribed for severe or high-risk cases, while antibiotics have no role in treating viral influenza, he said.
On vaccination, Bahl said there was no urgent need for the general population to take the seasonal flu vaccine. People aged above 65 and those who are immunocompromised could discuss vaccination with their doctors. Influenza vaccination is not currently part of India’s universal immunisation programme.
He also said COVID-19 and influenza are circulating together, which is not unusual. Surveillance is continuing to track any change in the pattern or severity of disease.
Basic precautions such as hand hygiene, covering the face while coughing or sneezing and staying home when unwell should be followed. Routine mask use is not considered necessary for everyone, Bahl said.
The ICMR chief said the present rise in H1N1 infections did not constitute a public health emergency.
