Health Minister U.T. Khader chairing a review meeting in Bengaluru on Monday (August 24) with senior health officials from the State and districts to assess the H1N1 spread situation and preparedness.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Karnataka Health Department has stepped up surveillance and preparedness measures for seasonal influenza, including H1N1, with the State recording 4,212 laboratory-confirmed cases this year across 32 districts till August 22.The department said the rise in cases being reported during the monsoon was part of the usual seasonal pattern and urged people not to panic. In Karnataka, influenza generally records two seasonal peaks — from January to March and July to September.Health Minister U.T. Khader chaired a review meeting on Monday (August 24) with senior health officials to assess the situation and preparedness.The State’s health system has adequate infrastructure and essential medicines to handle the situation, he said.According to surveillance data on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), Karnataka has reported 4,212 laboratory-confirmed influenza-positive cases till August 22. This compares with 4,583 cases reported in 2025 and 3,903 cases in 2024. Over 50% of the 4,212 cases reported this year are from GBA limits.Addressing presspersons after the meeting, the Minister said it was closely monitoring the situation through strengthened surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).Surveillance strengthenedThe State has designated sentinel surveillance sites under the ICMR-NCDC network for monitoring respiratory viruses. The Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) network is also being used to ensure timely collection and testing of samples. Adequate laboratory consumables were being made available to support testing and early detection, he said.Health facilities across the State have been instructed to maintain adequate stocks of essential supplies, including personal protective equipment, N95 masks and oseltamivir. Healthcare workers have been sensitised on the early identification of ILI and SARI cases, assessment of risk and appropriate management.Private hospitals and healthcare facilities have also been advised to follow the State’s protocols for screening, testing and treatment of H1N1 cases. They have been asked to mandatorily report cases to the surveillance authorities through the IHIP platform.The Minister said the department has strengthened infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities and is focusing on respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette and hand hygiene. Public awareness campaigns are also being intensified.‘Take precautions’The department has advised people with symptoms to visit the nearest government health facility.People have been asked to cover their nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing, wash their hands regularly with soap and water, drink plenty of fluids and isolate themselves when symptomatic.They have also been advised to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, refrain from self-medication and avoid shaking hands or visiting crowded places when they have symptoms. Reusing napkins has also been discouraged.The Minister said seasonal influenza could be prevented and managed through early detection and timely treatment, particularly among high-risk groups. Published - August 24, 2026 07:05 pm IST
