Bharadwaj reports low influenza cases in Delhi

The Delhi Health Minister, Saurabh Bharadwaj, has announced that the city government has directed authorities to conduct early screening to detect cases of influenza in the national capital. Despite the peak of seasonal influenza usually being over by March, a large number of cases are being registered this time in parts of the country. The focus is on taking precautionary measures such as avoiding public places, washing hands, and monitoring the situation on a daily basis. People who have had severe asthma or Covid are among those impacted the most by influenza. Extra precaution is needed for those aged above 65, children below five years of age, and those suffering from lung diseases. The government will issue advertisements in newspapers and on FM radio channels to create awareness. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that the rise in influenza cases is due to the Influenza A subtype H3N2 virus. The symptoms include a runny nose, persistent cough, and fever. Although the city government has no plan for making masks mandatory, the precautionary measures to be followed in case of influenza and Covid are the same.