Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday reviewed the country’s preparedness and prevailing situation regarding H1N1 influenza, with a special focus on the National Capital, and emphasised the need for continued vigilance, robust surveillance and proactive preparedness.
Delhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh also attended the meeting.
Nadda reviewed the national surveillance and epidemiological situation, including trends in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), 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 meeting also reviewed the preparedness of healthcare facilities in Delhi, including the availability of hospital beds, critical care facilities, oxygen-supported beds, ventilators, essential medicines, diagnostics and other critical supplies.
The minister underscored the importance of maintaining adequate surge capacity and seamless referral mechanisms, particularly for patients requiring specialised or critical care.
Nadda called for further strengthening early detection, timely testing and appropriate clinical management of influenza cases, along with the effective use of the existing surveillance and laboratory network.
Earlier, on July 10, 2026, the Union Health Secretary had written to all States and Union Territories, advising them to strengthen preparedness and surveillance for Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) and ensure that healthcare facilities remain adequately equipped.
The Union Health Minister also stressed the importance of public awareness and preventive practices, including respiratory and hand hygiene. He advised individuals experiencing persistent or severe respiratory symptoms, breathing difficulties or other warning signs to seek medical advice promptly.
Reiterating that the situation is being closely and continuously monitored, Nadda called for sustained and coordinated efforts to prevent and control seasonal diseases, including dengue and malaria.
He urged State governments to adopt a proactive and preparedness-oriented approach and called for the active involvement of municipal councillors and other local bodies in raising awareness about the prevention, spread and control of seasonal diseases.
Highlighting the increase in tuberculosis detection in the National Capital through the active involvement of local bodies and a whole-of-government approach, Nadda stressed the role of public representatives at all levels in disseminating factual and evidence-based information and strengthening community engagement.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said it continues to coordinate closely with States and Union Territories, hospitals, laboratories and other stakeholders to ensure effective surveillance, early detection, timely clinical management and proactive preparedness for seasonal influenza, including H1N1.
The meeting was also attended by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, Additional Secretary (Public Health) Dr Rakesh Gupta, Delhi State Health Secretary Rupesh Kumar Thakur and other senior officials.
