‘I retired at 29’: Woman leaves city hustle to start farmstay with dad in Maharashtra villageA woman who used to work in Bollywood left her city life to start this new venture with her retired father. Updated on: Aug 26, 2026, 07:11:21 IST By Trisha Sengupta Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy
Bengaluru auto driver calms tearful commuter after her scary encounter with ‘creep’: ‘Asked if I had eaten’The woman told hindustantimes.com that she started crying the moment she boarded the auto, but the driver’s gentle reassurance helped her calm down. Updated on: Aug 26, 2026
Dolly Parton, the country music superstar from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most beloved entertainers in the world. Over a career spanning more than 60 years, she sold more than 100 million records, wrote more than 3
Ram Rahim gets another furlough; Akal Takht slams move His release sparked outrage, with leaders questioning the fairness of the government's treatment of Sikh prisoners compared to Ram Rahim. Updated on: Aug 26, 2026, 07:51:22 IST By Neeraj Mohan Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Dera Sacha
98% flu cases this season down to H1N1: ICMRExperts urge public to remain calm, as infections are in line with seasonal trends and no unusual patterns observed. Updated on: Aug 26, 2026, 07:48:08 IST By Rhythma Kaul Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Swine flu accounts for 98% of influenza
98% flu cases this season down to H1N1
98% flu cases this season down to H1N1: ICMR
98% flu cases this season down to H1N1: ICMR
Experts urge public to remain calm, as infections are in line with seasonal trends and no unusual patterns observed.
Updated on: Aug 26, 2026, 07:48:08 IST By Rhythma Kaul Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link Swine flu accounts for 98% of influenza cases tested across the country, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research, which also believes that there is no reason for panic as no deaths have been reported from the H1N1 subtype of the influenza A virus so far. Swine flu (H1N1 Virus) can spread rapidly given the absence of any kind of herd immunity against a virus with a moderate reproduction number. (PTI) “Our surveillance network has shown about 98% of the cases that are tested are of H1N1; however, there is no need to panic as there is no shift in the seasonal flu pattern that we normally see. There are two peaks usually— monsoon and winters— and the cases that we are seeing are usual for this time of the year. We haven’t found any trend or pattern out of the usual that should concern us. Having said that we have to be watchful and follow preventive measures,” said Dr Rajiv Bahl, director-general, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Still, in a country where it is estimated that less than 2% of the population has ever received a flu shot, leave alone an annual one, the flu can spread rapidly given the absence of any kind of herd immunity against a virus with a moderate reproduction number (1.3-2.8 according to previous estimates, though this sometimes varies by outbreaks), which is a measure of how contagious it is. Annual flu shots are the only insurance against seasonal flu outbreaks. To be sure, flu shots are cost-prohibitive , ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹4,000, so not everyone can afford it, especially in a country like India. Also Read | Delhi CM calls emergency meet over H1N1 spread as 3,000 cases reported so far; health minister says 'under control' Bahl added that while the number of infections may have risen over the past few weeks, there aren’t too many severe cases needing hospitalisation. “Some cases are severe, but the number is not unusually high. And those who require admission are usually people who have some underlying medical condition. But the trend also suggests that the worst (in terms of infections) is yet to come. “We can never know when the peak is going to hit until the number of cases start plateauing and then coming down. So far, the trend shows the number of infections is going up,” he said. ICMR is tracking cases closely. “There is a robust surveillance network in place in 23 hospitals across the country that function as sentinel sites for syndromic and other testing. There are 73 labs that test at least 25 samples each in a week of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) to know which pathogens are circulating in the community,” Bahl added. Hospitals say there has been an uptick in the number of admissions related to respiratory illnesses but that the numbers are not overwhelming. Also Read | Chandigarh logs second swine flu case of season “The number of admissions of respiratory cases is high, but these are people who suffer from some form of co-morbidities. Not all need admission. Also, the numbers aren’t overwhelming and people are getting better,” said Dr Sumit Ray, medical superintendent, Holy Family Hospital, Delhi. ICMR said on Sunday that the strain wasn’t new, and available vaccines were effective against the current strain. “The Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 viruses currently circulating in the country belong to the A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus strain. These viruses belong to clade 6B.1A.5a2a, subclade D.3.1.1, and have been in circulation since 2025,” said ICMR. “The Influenza strains currently circulating are also well matched with the vaccine strains recommended by the World Health Organisation for the Northern Hemisphere.” Also Read | 1,777 cases, zero deaths: The science of H1N1, the surge in Delhi and how it differs from Covid-19 Based on these recommendations, companies issue annual vaccines. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost half the adult population in the US takes a flu shot. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rhythma Kaul Rhythma Kaul is the national health editor of the Hindustan Times. She has been reporting on public health, medicine, and medical research, with a particular focus on how government decisions and health system reforms shape people’s lives. Rhythma has over 25 years of journalistic experience. She joined Hindustan Times in 2008, and has since covered everything from pandemics and infectious diseases to cutting‑edge medical research and climate‑related health challenges. Her stories routinely track the work of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, department of pharmaceuticals, and key national health programmes, making complex medical science and policy accessible to a wide audience. One of her prominent news breaks has been the 2012 Baby Falak case: A two-year-old brutally battered baby girl was admitted to AIIMS-Delhi with severe head injuries, multiple fractures, human bite marks, and burns. The police investigation revealed this to be a case of multi-state human-trafficking racket. She was profiled by The Wall Street Journal for breaking this story. Rhythma holds a Master’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Prior to Hindustan Times, she worked with the India Today Group. Rhythma can be contacted at rhythma.kaul@hindustantimes.com. Her X handle is @RamblingBrook.Read More H1n1 Swine Flu Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather major national developments and Karnataka Bandh LIVE. Home/India News/98% Flu Cases This Season Down To H1N1: ICMR See LessSwine flu accounts for 98% of influenza cases tested across the country, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research, which also believes that there is no reason for panic as no deaths have been reported from the H1N1 subtype of the influenza A virus so far.
“Our surveillance network has shown about 98% of the cases that are tested are of H1N1; however, there is no need to panic as there is no shift in the seasonal flu pattern that we normally see. There are two peaks usually— monsoon and winters— and the cases that we are seeing are usual for this time of the year. We haven’t found any trend or pattern out of the usual that should concern us. Having said that we have to be watchful and follow preventive measures,” said Dr Rajiv Bahl, director-general, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Still, in a country where it is estimated that less than 2% of the population has ever received a flu shot, leave alone an annual one, the flu can spread rapidly given the absence of any kind of herd immunity against a virus with a moderate reproduction number (1.3-2.8 according to previous estimates, though this sometimes varies by outbreaks), which is a measure of how contagious it is. Annual flu shots are the only insurance against seasonal flu outbreaks. To be sure, flu shots are cost-prohibitive , ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹4,000, so not everyone can afford it, especially in a country like India.
Also Read | Delhi CM calls emergency meet over H1N1 spread as 3,000 cases reported so far; health minister says 'under control'
Bahl added that while the number of infections may have risen over the past few weeks, there aren’t too many severe cases needing hospitalisation. “Some cases are severe, but the number is not unusually high. And those who require admission are usually people who have some underlying medical condition. But the trend also suggests that the worst (in terms of infections) is yet to come.
“We can never know when the peak is going to hit until the number of cases start plateauing and then coming down. So far, the trend shows the number of infections is going up,” he said.
ICMR is tracking cases closely. “There is a robust surveillance network in place in 23 hospitals across the country that function as sentinel sites for syndromic and other testing. There are 73 labs that test at least 25 samples each in a week of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) to know which pathogens are circulating in the community,” Bahl added. Hospitals say there has been an uptick in the number of admissions related to respiratory illnesses but that the numbers are not overwhelming.
Also Read | Chandigarh logs second swine flu case of season
“The number of admissions of respiratory cases is high, but these are people who suffer from some form of co-morbidities. Not all need admission. Also, the numbers aren’t overwhelming and people are getting better,” said Dr Sumit Ray, medical superintendent, Holy Family Hospital, Delhi.
ICMR said on Sunday that the strain wasn’t new, and available vaccines were effective against the current strain. “The Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 viruses currently circulating in the country belong to the A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus strain. These viruses belong to clade 6B.1A.5a2a, subclade D.3.1.1, and have been in circulation since 2025,” said ICMR. “The Influenza strains currently circulating are also well matched with the vaccine strains recommended by the World Health Organisation for the Northern Hemisphere.”
Also Read | 1,777 cases, zero deaths: The science of H1N1, the surge in Delhi and how it differs from Covid-19
Based on these recommendations, companies issue annual vaccines. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost half the adult population in the US takes a flu shot.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: H1N1 Cases Rise In Delhi H1N1 Cases Surge In Delhi-NCR Why Is The Variant Behind Delhi’s H1N1 Cases A Concerning Health Alert In 2026 With Flu-Like Symptoms Over 2,300 swine flu cases detected in Delhi this year, CM calls emergency meeting Can H1N1 Trigger Heart Problems No need to panic over H1N1 surge in K'taka New study says Covid and flu can triple your risk of heart attack and stroke Australia to roll out bird flu vaccines for most vulnerable native birds US woman woke up with flu-like symptoms and thought it was sinus infection Bengaluru Seasonal Flu Alert
Sir Demis Hassabis: The scientist in the AI engine roomThe biggest AI conversations, decoded. 26 Aug 2026. Published on: Aug 26, 2026, 08:01:02 IST By Vishal Mathur Prefer HTon Google Share via Copy link “I am first and foremost a scientist. My goal is to understand nature. But doing science is
Just now
Dolly Parton, the country singer from the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, will be remembered for her songs that told beautiful stories so honestly, such as Coat of Many Colors, Jolene and I Will Always Love You. In a seven-decade career, Parton won 10 Grammy awards
Just now
EPFO members can check their monthly PF contributions online through the EPF passbook. Here is how to verify employee and employer contributions. If you are a salaried employee, you can check your EPF passbook to verify whether your provident fund contributions are being credited regularly
Just now
Weekly Horoscope For August 24 – 30, 2026: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – check out your weekly horoscope for the upcoming week. Weekly Horoscope For August 24 – 30, 2026: Want to know what the stars have in store for
Just now
By Greg Bensinger, Diana Novak Jones and Jonathan Stempel OAKLAND, California, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Instagram's top executive, Adam Mosseri, took the witness stand on Tuesday to testify in a trial over whether Meta Platforms designed Instagram and Facebook to addict children without proper regard for
Just now
The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted protection from arrest to journalist Abhishek Upadhyay, who was among the first to report about the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, in a case filed against him by the Uttar Pradesh Police, reported Bar and Bench
1 days ago
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has unveiled a plan to provide one lakh government jobs to the youth within the next six months. Since 2017, over 9.30 lakh positions have been filled in the state, he said. In a major announcement
1 days ago
When should you consult a doctor after vaccination? Physician Dr Amit Prakash Singh shares concerning symptoms Updated on: Aug 25, 2026, 14:29:39 IST By Debapriya Bhattacharya Prefer HT on Google Share via Copy link The side effects of vaccination usually resolve
1 days ago
HistoriCity: How taxation, famine triggered the late 18th century Sannyasi-Fakir Rebellion Vande Mataram, which translates to “Mother, I pray/bow to thee,” was a rallying cry during resistance movements, inspiring generations of freedom fighters Published on: Aug 25, 2026
1 days ago
If football is won in both boxes, it seems as though Chelsea have one far better covered than the other. Xabi Alonso began his Stamford Bridge reign with an entertaining 3-2 Premier League win at west London rivals Fulham on Monday - and their new-look front three stole the show
1 days ago
Hyderabad youth dies by suicide in US after master's degree fails to get him a job The man had recently completed a master’s degree in computer science from the Anderson University College of Business in South Carolina. Updated on: Aug 25, 2026
1 days ago
The ₹12 lakh income tax threshold under the new tax regime has brought significant relief to individual taxpayers. However, for those earning income from a business or profession, this headline figure can sometimes create a false sense of security
1 days ago
The Supreme Court heard a plea from TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee regarding rebel MPs. He sought expedition of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's decision on disqualification. The apex court declined to issue notice to the Speaker and secretary-general
1 days ago
Jang Dong Yoon surprises fans with October 2026 wedding announcement to Tale of Nokdu co-star Kim Seung Yoon Jang Dong Yoon and Kim Seung Yoon met while filming The Tale of Nokdu in 2019. The two later went on to work together on several projects. Published on: Aug 25, 2026
1 days ago
A couple of months ago, just after sunrise, 40-year-old Mamta began the first of as many as 10 journeys she would make that day. Carrying three empty plastic buckets, she walked a few hundred metres to the nearest handpump in her village in Jalaun district
1 days ago
A woman in Uttar Pradesh was left shocked after she opened a trunk, where she had saved money over the years. She had saved nearly 12 lakhs. Once she opened the trunk, she found out that rats had chewed through a large portion of the cash which she had painstakingly saved
1 days ago
The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses from 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs on a plea by party leader Abhishek Banerjee challenging the delay by the Lok Sabha speaker in deciding the disqualification petitions he has filed against the legislators, Live Law reported
1 days ago
Step inside Akanksha Chamola's cosy and charming family home in Mumbai where she lives with her mom and dad Published on: Aug 25, 2026, 14:36:54 IST By Krishna Pallavi Priya Prefer HT on Google Share via Copy link A look inside Akanksha Chamola's home
1 days ago
Gurgaon woman says 8-km journey home took 2.5 hours after rain: ‘Going back becomes a whole battle’ A Gurgaon woman said an 8-km journey home took 2.5 hours after rain caused severe traffic jams. Published on: Aug 25, 2026, 14:24:16 IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Prefer HT on Google
1 days ago
Samsung Electronics and SK hynix gained further "bargaining power" in the artificial intelligence supply chain as rising memory costs fed into prices for Nvidia-based server systems, according to a news report by Korea Herald. Server manufacturers notified major data center customers
1 days ago
Songs that are largely or wholly created by AI have been banned from Australia's music charts. From this week, all releases must be "substantially human made" to be eligible. The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) said the new code would help "promote the human nature of artistry"
1 days ago
(AMI), the arm of AM Group founded by Greenko's promoters, plans to invest over $8 billion to build AI compute infrastructure globally and has placed its first order for Nvidia’s latest Vera Rubin superchips. The order comprising 9,000 Vera Rubin NVL72 rack-scale systems is scheduled for
1 days ago
Ahead of talks in Beijing on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Hu Shisheng, a leading Chinese strategic affairs scholar on South Asia, said the focus of both countries would be on “institutionalising stability” even as
1 days ago
Amid the tightening of immigration policies, the number of Indian students seeking admission to U.S. colleges declined by 15% in 2025-26 over the previous year, according to a report. A report, representing over 1,100 institutions, released by the Common App
1 days ago
A Gwalior man’s attempt to recreate a viral social media trend with his car took an unexpected turn after traffic police traced the vehicle. Covered in around 3,400 lipstick kiss marks, the stunt eventually ended with a ₹5,500 challan. The car belonged to Aditya Sikarwar
1 days ago
Girlfriend leaves 3,400 kiss marks on car. Gwalior cops make man wipe them off, fine him ₹5,500 A viral trend went wrong when Gwalior cops fined a man ₹5,500 after his girlfriend covered his car in 3,400 lipstick kiss marks. Updated on: Aug 25, 2026
1 days ago
Atiq Ahmed’s son Mohammad Umar denied bail in extortion case An FIR was lodged at Khuldabad police station on April 26, 2023, for the alleged offences by one Mohd Muslim and others. Updated on: Aug 25, 2026, 14:32:20 IST By HT Correspondent Prefer HT on Google Share via
1 days ago
