No new strain of H1N1, virus has been in circulation: ICMR as swine flu cases cross 2,000 mark

No new strain of H1N1 has been identified, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Sunday, as Delhi's swine flu caseload this year crossed the 2,000 mark. The country's apex health research body said the current outbreak is being driven by a known H1N1 strain that is already in circulation, and added that numbers across the country are beginning to decline.

The ICMR said there was no cause for panic. "No new strain of H1N1 has been identified and there is no cause for panic. The Influenza strains currently circulating are also well-matched with the vaccine strains recommended for the Northern Hemisphere," it said.

According to the ICMR, the strain predominantly in circulation across the country at present is the A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus strain, part of clade 6B.1A.5a2a, subclade D.3.1.1, a lineage that has been in circulation since 2025. Sources at the ICMR also said the Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 viruses currently circulating in the country belong to this strain.

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An ICMR scientist told The Indian Express that around 70% of all respiratory infections in the Capital in the last week were caused by the H1N1 virus, showing that it had been in circulation and causing a high number of infections over the last four to five weeks, with numbers slowly going down over the last two weeks. Data for the current week is not yet available.

Seasonal influenza, including H1N1, is mostly self-limiting, scientists said. Common symptoms include fever, cough, headache and body ache, and most people recover with appropriate care and rest. However, young children, elderly persons and individuals with underlying medical conditions may be at greater risk of complications. Doctors have advised timely consultation if symptoms persist, worsen or become severe. The scientist said the situation continues to be closely monitored through regular surveillance and necessary public health measures are being undertaken.

The national capital has recorded over 2,300 Influenza-A cases this year, including over 1,777 H1N1 cases till Friday, according to the health department. It said 114 H1N1 cases were reported on Thursday alone. The Delhi government has issued a health advisory urging people to follow respiratory hygiene, avoid crowded places and seek timely medical advice.

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Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Friday reviewed the prevailing H1N1 influenza situation and preparedness across the country, with particular focus on the national capital. Delhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh also attended the meeting. Nadda reviewed the national surveillance and epidemiological situation, trends in influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infection, testing and laboratory surveillance, and the preparedness of healthcare facilities to manage seasonal influenza cases.

He stressed the need for close monitoring of influenza trends and the timely identification and management of any unusual increase or clustering of cases. The preparedness of healthcare facilities in Delhi was also reviewed, including the availability of hospital beds, critical care facilities, oxygen-supported beds, ventilators, essential medicines, diagnostics and other critical supplies.

Singh said after the meeting that the government was ready. "We are prepared for any situation. There is no shortage of medicine, doctors, beds," he told reporters on Saturday, adding, "Everyone will receive timely and appropriate treatment."

Nadda had also emphasised the need for public awareness of preventive measures such as respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene.