Title: Swine Flu Cases Surge in Delhi: H1N1 Cases Cross 1,770, Know the Symptoms
New Delhi, August 22, 2026: Swine flu cases are rising rapidly in Delhi, with the number of confirmed H1N1 cases crossing 1,770 this year. As many as 114 new H1N1 cases were reported in a single day, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 1,777.
According to the available data, Delhi had recorded 1,344 H1N1 cases as of August 6. This means that 433 new cases were reported in just 14 days. The health department has not yet made public details of the hospitals where the 114 cases reported on August 20 were detected.
Last year, 229 cases had been reported during the corresponding period. This year’s figure is therefore nearly eight times higher than last year.
Amid the rise in cases, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, along with senior officials of the Health Ministry, held a meeting on Friday with Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh and health department officials to review the H1N1 situation in the capital.
Experts said that seasonal influenza cases can increase during the monsoon due to fluctuations in temperature and high humidity. The risk of severe infection is higher among elderly people and those with existing lung, heart or diabetic conditions.
Elderly, Children Need Extra Precaution
Dr. Rishikesh Desai, Consultant Physician in the Department of Internal Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said that the hospital has witnessed an increase in patients with seasonal influenza.
While healthy individuals generally recover from the infection, flu can become serious among elderly people, pregnant women, young children and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Neha Rastogi Panda also reported an increase in patients showing influenza and flu-like symptoms.
Do Not Ignore High Fever and Persistent Cough
Doctors have reported that many patients are experiencing persistent cough and high fever during the current season. Air pollution-related inflammation in the lungs may also worsen coughing and breathing difficulties in some patients.
Common symptoms of H1N1 infection include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body ache and fatigue. People experiencing persistent or severe symptoms should seek medical advice rather than ignoring them.
Precautions Can Help Prevent Infection
Dr. Ramesh Meena, Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at RML Hospital, advised people to take basic precautions to reduce the risk of infection. These include regular hand hygiene, staying home and resting when unwell, and avoiding close contact with others during illness.
Flu vaccination may also be considered as appropriate, particularly for people at higher risk of complications.
