Delhi on alert over H1N1 cases, Health Minister to hold key meeting today

Delhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh will hold a key meeting today to review rising H1N1 cases, hospital preparedness, beds, medicines, testing and surveillance, while assuring adequate arrangements and no cause for panic.Delhi Health Minister calls crucial meeting today to review preparedness for H1N1 (Representative image)Delhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh has convened a key review meeting of the Health Department at the Delhi Secretariat this afternoon. Senior officials from the Delhi Government and the MCD, municipal health officers, and representatives from government hospitals will attend the meeting.WHAT WILL THE MEETING FOCUS ON?The meeting will focus on assessing hospital preparedness and reviewing the availability of beds, medicines and medical facilities in Delhi. The preparedness of government hospitals will also be reviewed during the meeting.Officials will also discuss testing and surveillance mechanisms for H1N1 cases as part of the review.Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh said there are adequate arrangements regarding beds, doctors, medicines and essential medical equipment in Delhi's hospitals. The Health Minister said there is no cause for panicNO NEW STRAIN, HIGH-RISK GROUPS NEED CAUTION: IMRC In other news, senior scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have clarified that the Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 viruses currently circulating in India are not a new strain and there is no cause for panic.According to the scientists, the viruses belong to the A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus strain. They belong to clade 6B.1A.5a2a, subclade D.3.1.1, and have been in circulation since 2025.NUMBER OF CASES IN DELHI Delhi recorded 159 fresh influenza cases on August 20, including 114 H1N1 cases, taking the cumulative H1N1 tally in 2026 to 1,777. Influenza A cases have also risen to 2,392. H1N1 is a subtype of Influenza A and is commonly known as swine flu.Delhi has reported 2,602 influenza cases so far in 2026, including 2,392 Influenza A and 210 Influenza B cases. Four fresh Influenza B cases were reported on August 20, taking the cumulative tally to 210.- EndsPublished By: Karan YadavPublished On: Aug 24, 2026 11:11 IST