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  • 16 hours ago
Senior scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research have clarified that the H1N1 pdm09 influenza strain currently circulating in India is not a new strain, stating there is no cause for panic. While cases of the highly contagious virus have seen a sixfold increase in cities like Delhi, the virus matches recommended seasonal vaccines. Doctors and officials advise taking flu shots and precautions, as high monsoon humidity accelerates spread, with young children, elderly individuals, and those with underlying medical conditions facing higher risk of complications such as pneumonia.

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00:00The government sources have come out to reveal this to India today.
00:03According to senior scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research, that is the ICMR,
00:08the influenza A, that is the H1N1 PDM09 virus, is currently circulating in the country
00:15belonging to the particular H1N1 PDM09-like virus strain.
00:20This is what the clarification is with regards to, that these viruses belong to a certain category
00:25that has been in circulation since 2025.
00:28The scientists have clarified that no new strain has been identified and that there is no cause for panic.
00:35We have seen there has been a rise in cases of influenza strain flu that's going around.
00:42A lot of people end up thinking that it's from seasonal flu, that is.
00:45But this is a particular influenza strain that has been circulating since 2025.
00:50And as far as the H1N1 virus is concerned, that's the very source of this very flu.
00:55It's not a new strain, but it's well-matched with the vaccine strains recommended for the northern hemisphere itself.
01:03Seasonal influenza, including the H1N1, is mostly self-limiting.
01:07And common symptoms, as many of you would already have known, include fever, cough, headache, body ache.
01:13Most people recover with appropriate care and rest.
01:17However, young children, of course, there is one certain categories of people who fall in the vulnerable categories.
01:24Young children, elderly person and individuals already with underlying medical conditions may be at a greater risk of complications.
01:32We have Sneha Mordani with us, with more details on the same.
01:35Sneha, very good afternoon to you.
01:38In a way, it comes in as a relief that there is no new strain, but the cases have been
01:42on the rise nonetheless.
01:43Take us through, what are we learning?
01:46That's right.
01:46Good afternoon, Shreya.
01:48You know, the fact of the matter is that the cases have seen a six-fold increase, actually more.
01:53If you look at H1N1 cases, and a bit of a worry, because we do know, and I've seen it
01:58well in my own family itself,
02:01younger children and older people are more vulnerable to it, and it can lead to even pneumonia.
02:07And that is a big concern among doctors at this point in time now.
02:10Pneumonia patches have been seen after an H1N1 infection.
02:15Very much like COVID, we can't forget that this is what had caused one pandemic in the year 2009.
02:20But a matter of belief that there is no new strain.
02:24So what was circulating in 2025 is what is circulating now.
02:29And doctors say that definitely a flu shot is what we all should go for.
02:34Not just, you know, the elderly and the children.
02:36And we should do it year after year, is what the doctors have been saying.
02:40The government also, in a way, advises the same.
02:42A high monsoon humidity, of course, is fueling this rapid spread of this particular virus.
02:48And that is very evident as of now.
02:50Is where doctors are indicating.
02:52And families are falling sick together because it's highly contagious.
02:55Just like COVID.
02:57And the spike is what is our concern at this point in time.
03:00By and large, Bangalore City and Delhi is what's really present in case.
03:05Not so much Bangalore, but many more.
03:08And the government, as of now, says that caution is what is required.
03:12But there is no new strain in existence.
03:15Right, so caution is what's required.
03:17And precautions shall also have to be taken.
03:19Because it is a highly contagious disease at the end of the day, viewers.
03:23But yes, here is wishing you all good health.
03:25While you do take all of those precautions required.
03:28Thank you for all of those details.
03:30Thank you for all of those details.
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