Dr Soumya Swaminathan has warned that the rising number of H1N1 and other influenza cases highlights how quickly people have forgotten the public-health lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The former WHO chief scientist said simple precautions such as mask-wearing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoiding crowded places while sick had sharply reduced influenza circulation during the pandemic. However, many of these habits have now disappeared.
Swaminathan said seasonal flu should not be dismissed as a minor health concern. While there is no reason to panic over the current rise in cases, she stressed the need for continued surveillance to track severe infections, hospitalisations and deaths.
She also noted that an increase in reported cases does not necessarily mean the virus has become more dangerous, as higher testing levels can lead to more infections being detected. India’s surveillance systems, including those supported by ICMR, remain important for monitoring influenza activity.
On testing, she said not everyone with flu-like symptoms needs an RT-PCR test. Doctors should decide based on symptoms, risk factors and the patient’s condition.
Swaminathan also urged eligible people to consider influenza vaccination, noting that immunity takes around two weeks to develop. She highlighted low awareness and cost as major reasons why flu vaccines remain underused in India.
Another major concern is antibiotic misuse. Since influenza is caused by a virus, antibiotics do not treat it. Unnecessary use contributes to antimicrobial resistance.
Her key message remains prevention: follow respiratory hygiene, avoid self-medication and stay away from others when unwell to reduce the spread of H1N1 and other respiratory infections.
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