No New H1N1 Strain in India Amid Seasonal Rise in Delhi, Says ICMR

Senior scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have stated that no new strain of the H1N1 virus has been detected in the country, reassuring the public that the recent spike in infections is seasonal flu and there is no cause for panic.

The reassurance comes amid an uptick in seasonal influenza cases in Delhi. The capital recorded 1,777 H1N1 cases up to August 20, out of a total of 2,392 Influenza A cases, establishing H1N1 as the predominant influenza A sub-type reported this year.

According to ICMR scientists, the viruses currently circulating in India belong to the Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 category, specifically the A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus strain. It falls under clade 6B.1A.5a2a, subclade D.3.1.1.

The research body noted that the circulating seasonal strains have been present since 2025 and are well matched with the vaccine strains recommended for the northern hemisphere. Officials confirmed that the situation continues to be monitored through regular surveillance.

Medical experts have pointed to the annual weather patterns contributing to the spike. Dr Randeep Guleria, chairman of internal medicine and respiratory and sleep medicine at Medanta Hospital, addressed the current trend.

"We are seeing an increase in H1N1 cases. We usually see an increase every year during monsoon but this year we are seeing a relatively higher number of cases," Dr Guleria said.

Surveillance mechanisms remain active to track the virus across regions as seasonal flu cases continue through the monsoon period.