With the winter influenza season approaching, the Union Health Ministry has intensified its review of preparedness measures to manage respiratory illnesses across the country. A high-level meeting was chaired today by Health Minister JP Nadda in New Delhi.
During the briefing, officials informed the Minister that India usually witnesses two peaks of seasonal influenza — August to October during the monsoon and January to March during winter. Referring to the sharp rise in influenza cases during 2014–15, Nadda sought an update on the present situation and checked whether circulating strains have deviated from historical trends.
The Health Ministry informed that influenza activity remains low in India and globally. Surveillance data shows the presence of usual seasonal strains—H3N2 and Influenza B (Victoria)—along with a small proportion of H1N1. Near real-time surveillance systems are in place through IDSP monitoring of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI), AI-based media scanning, and ICMR’s sentinel testing network. No unusual increase in cases has been reported so far.
NCDC also plans to organise a two-day national ‘Chintan Shivir on Influenza’ later this month to review countrywide preparedness with participation from key ministries, departments and states.
Appreciating the ongoing measures, the Minister directed officials to ensure readiness across all levels of the healthcare system. He instructed that preparedness reviews with state nodal officers must be completed, along with assessments of district hospitals and medical colleges within the next two weeks. He also advised issuing an advisory to States and Union Territories and conducting regular mock drills in health facilities to strengthen response mechanisms.
The Health Ministry reiterated that India remains well-prepared to manage seasonal respiratory illnesses and that continued vigilance will be maintained through the winter months.