New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) The capital has reported 2,392 influenza-A cases including 1,777 H1N1 (swine flu) infections so far this year, with Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh saying Friday that the city is fully equipped to deal with the seasonal rise in influenza cases.
On the day, Singh attended a meeting chaired by Union Health Minister J P Nadda to review Delhi’s preparedness to treat seasonal influenza and vector-borne diseases.
In an official statement issued after the meeting, Singh said there was no shortage of beds, doctors, medicines or essential medical equipment in the capital, adding that the patient tally was being monitored, and hospital arrangements being strengthened according to requirements.
According to the statement, the Delhi State Health Mission is maintaining close surveillance through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), with daily monitoring of influenza-like illness (ILI), severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and influenza cases reported through the IDSP-IHIP (Integrated Health Information Platform) portal. Regular updates are being shared with senior authorities.
Advisories have been issued to chief district medical officers, district surveillance officers and hospitals for screening, reporting and monitoring of ILI, SARI and influenza cases, the statement said, adding that technical guidelines covering patient categorisation, treatment protocols, ventilatory management, masks and home care have also been circulated.
Healthcare workers are being sensitised and trained on symptoms and follow-up protocols, while a refresher training programme for district officers was held recently, the statement said.
An inter-sectoral meeting involving the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Cantonment Board, education department, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and other stakeholders has directed that public awareness and IEC (information, education, and communication) activities on influenza prevention and control be intensified, it said.
Of the total influenza-A cases, 1,777 were reported to be H1N1 infections, commonly known as swine flu, while 37 were H1, 138 were H3 and 440 were categorised as other influenza cases, according to the Delhi government. H1N1 is the predominant strain in the city.
Additionally, Delhi has reported 246 dengue cases and 80 malaria cases this year, with zero deaths from either disease. Chikungunya cases stood at 19, also with no deaths.
As part of vector-control measures, local bodies have conducted 2.38 crore house visits, sprayed 3.20 lakh houses, identified 91,217 mosquito-positive houses, issued 74,591 legal notices and launched 6,724 prosecutions, the statement said.
Delhi has 35 designated sentinel surveillance hospitals, two apex referral laboratories at AIIMS and NCDC, and a malaria reference laboratory at Maulana Azad Medical College.
Hospitals have been directed to maintain mosquito-free campuses, ensure timely reporting and keep adequate diagnostic kits, medicines, intravenous fluids, blood products and dedicated beds wherever required, the statement said.
The Delhi government is coordinating with the MCD, NDMC, Delhi Cantonment Board and other departments for prevention and control, while dengue and malaria surveillance, training, awareness and door-to-door outreach through ASHA workers continue, it added.
According to the statement, Delhi’s malaria annual parasite incidence remains below one, placing it in the pre-elimination phase, with the “Test, Track and Treat” strategy being implemented under the 2025-27 malaria elimination plan.
The complete preparedness report of Delhi has been shared with Union Health Minister J P Nadda, including arrangements for beds, doctors, medicines and other essential facilities, Singh said, adding that the Union minister has assured that the Centre will provide every necessary support.
Singh urged citizens to follow respiratory hygiene, use masks in crowded places, maintain hand hygiene, avoid close contact with people suffering from respiratory illnesses and consult doctors rather than self-medicate.
“Public health preparedness is a continuous process. Our priority is early detection, timely treatment and ensuring adequate hospital capacity,” he added. PTI SGV ARB ARB
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