Delhi government holds emergency review meeting on H1N1 surge, Minster says no need to panic

In response to a surge in swine flu cases, Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta convened an emergency review meeting on Tuesday. The meeting, attended by Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh and senior Health department officials, aimed to address the situation promptly. In Delhi, there have been 2,308 swine flu cases reported this year, representing the majority of influenza infections.

According to Singh, "We held a meeting on H1N1 and dengue, in which we also invited officials from the NDMC, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and Cantonment areas. I would like to convey through all your channels that there is absolutely no need for panic anywhere. Everything is under control. Our hospitals have sufficient beds, doctors, and medicines available."

H1N1, a subtype of the Influenza A virus, is responsible for approximately 3,000 cases in Delhi, with 2,308 of them reported. The remaining 600–650 cases belong to another variant. Singh reassured the public that the situation is under control, with patients recovering and being discharged. As of yesterday, there were 2,200 dengue cases reported, but no deaths or serious conditions among the patients.

ICMR Director General Dr. Rajiv Bahl also expressed confidence in the situation, stating that there was no need for concern as the mortality rate due to the viral infection remained low. He advised that only high-risk individuals, such as those over 65 years of age or with compromised immune systems, should consider getting the flu shot after consulting their doctor.

There is also no need for widespread testing, as the disease is self-limiting. Bahl emphasized that most patients would recover without hospitalization, similar to how flu typically affects people in childhood.