India Media Reports Massive Surge of Severe Flu Infections in Delhi with Many Hospitalized. Is it Really H5N1?
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 11, 2025 14 hours, 41 minutes ago
Medical News: Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) is currently grappling with a significant surge in severe flu infections, leading to widespread concern among residents and healthcare professionals. The sudden spike in cases has resulted in numerous hospitalizations, prompting questions about the underlying cause, particularly the potential involvement of the H5N1 virus, commonly known as bird flu.
India Media Reports Massive Surge of Severe Flu Infections in Delhi with Many Hospitalized.
Is it Really H5N1?
Flu Cases Escalate in Delhi-NCR
Recent data indicates that over 54% of households in Delhi-NCR have reported at least one member exhibiting flu-like symptoms. These symptoms include high fever, sore throat, persistent cough, headaches, stomach issues, joint pain, and respiratory problems. The LocalCircles survey, encompassing more than 13,000 responses from residents of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad, highlights the extensive reach of this outbreak.
According to local
Medical News reports, the hospitalizations rates and numbers of individuals requiring ICU and ventilator support has grown exponentially in recent days.
Alarmingly, many of the infected are developing severe pneumonia, bronchitis and in some cases even brain-related infections.
Dr. Neha Rastogi Panda, Consultant-Infectious Diseases at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, notes a sharp and consistent rise in upper respiratory tract infection cases. Patients commonly present with fever, prolonged severe cough with minimal expectoration, sore throat, body aches, congestion, and cold. The past two months have seen numerous symptomatic infections, with laboratory-confirmed cases of H3N2 and H1N1 among them. However, the number of individuals presenting with severe symptoms starting rising in the last week.
Symptoms and Severity
The prevalent symptoms among affected individuals are:
-High Fever: Sudden increase in body temperature.
-Respiratory Issues: Sore throat, persistent cough, and nasal congestion.
-Body Aches: Muscle and joint pains causing discomfort.
-Fatigue and Headaches: General weakness accompanied by headaches.
-Gastrointestinal Problems: Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, especially in children.
-Cognitive issues and headaches.
Notably, many patients experience a prolonged cough with breathing difficulties. Severe cases can escalate to breathing challenges, particularly among the elderly and those with existing lung conditions.
Potential Causes of the Surge
Several factors may be contributing to the current increase in flu cases:
-Weather Changes: The transition from winter to summer, coupled with sudden temperature fluctuations,
can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
-Air Pollution: Elevated pollution levels in urban areas can irritate the respiratory system, increasing vulnerability to viral attacks.
-Viral Mutations: The emergence of new viral strains, such as H3N2 and H1N1, may lead to more severe symptoms and prolonged illness.
Is H5N1 the Culprit?
The similarity of symptoms to those caused by the H5N1 virus has raised alarms. However, current evidence does not confirm H5N1 as the primary cause of the outbreak. While H5N1, or bird flu, has been detected in various parts of India, including cases in poultry and some mammals, there is no direct link to the current human flu cases in Delhi-NCR.
Preventive Measures
To safeguard against the flu, individuals are advised to:
-Get Vaccinated: Annual flu vaccinations can reduce the risk of severe infection.
-Wear Masks: Using masks in crowded or poorly ventilated areas can help prevent virus transmission.
-Maintain Hand Hygiene: Regular handwashing with soap or sanitizer is crucial in preventing infection.
-Avoid Close Contact: Keeping a safe distance from individuals exhibiting flu-like symptoms can minimize exposure.
Dr. Tushar Tayal, Consultant at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, emphasizes that individuals with severe flu symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest discomfort, dizziness, or persistent vomiting, should seek immediate medical attention. Early treatment, including antiviral medications, can prevent complications in vulnerable populations.
Government Response and Public Awareness
In response to the surge, health authorities are intensifying surveillance and urging the public to adhere to preventive measures. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has advised states and Union Territories to monitor trends of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infections to detect early signs of an outbreak.
Conclusion
The recent surge in flu cases in Delhi-NCR is a cause for concern, given the high transmission rate and the severity of symptoms leading to increased hospitalizations.
Media References:
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-sees-surge-in-influenza-b-h1n1-cases-across-age-groups-say-doctors-9879708/
https://www.financialexpress.com/life/flu-cases-surge-in-delhi-ncr-doctors-report-10-15-patients-daily-outbreak-linked-to-3773236/
https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/health-news/flu-cases-soar-in-delhi-ncr-stay-safe-with-these-tips/ar-AA1AApSN
https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/health-news/delhi-faces-worse-h1n1-swine-flu-outbreak-in-years-as-cases-rise-here-s-how-to-stay-safe/ar-AA1AqgnS
https://www.indiatoday.in/health/story/delhi-ncr-54-percent-households-report-seasonal-covid-like-flu-symptoms-2690876-2025-03-08
https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/story/flu-cases-spike-in-delhi-ncr-54-households-report-viral-illness-with-covid-like-symptoms-report-467065-2025-03-07
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