Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Friday said the city government has directed authorities to conduct early screening to detect cases of influenza in the national capital.
Addressing a press conference, he said though the peak of seasonal influenza is usually over by March, many cases are being registered this time in parts of the country.
Mr Bharadwaj also said that the city government has no plan for making masks mandatory. The focus is on taking precautionary measures such as avoiding public places, washing hands etc, he added.
"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," he said.
The Delhi health minister said the Centre has issued Covid advisory for six states, but Delhi is not on the list. "However, we are issuing an advisory to check the spread of influenza. The precautionary measures to be followed in case of influenza and Covid are the same," Mr Bharadwaj said.
"Instructions have been issued to district surveillance units, health facilities, and government hospital authorities to monitor the situation on a daily basis. All districts have been asked to ensure early screening to detect cases," he said.
Mr Bharadwaj said there are not many influenza cases in Delhi hospitals and the situation is being monitored closely.
The government will issue advertisements in newspapers and on FM radio channels to create awareness, the health minister said.
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 H3N2 virus is leading to more hospitalisations than other subtypes. The symptoms include a runny nose, persistent cough, and fever.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Why Do Cards Remain A Preferred Payment Mode In India?
"Doctors Must Work Without Fear": Medical Body Chief Over Kolkata Horror AAP vs Lt Governor Over Shortage Of Doctors In Delhi Government Hospitals Delhi Chief Secretary's Big Charge On AAP Minister After Basement Deaths Nurse Raped, Killed On Way Home, Body Found 9 Days Later In UP "Don't Expect Anything From Me": Kolkata Hospital's New Principal Loses Cool Rahul Gandhi's Seat At Red Fort Triggers Fresh Congress Attack On BJP Left, BJP, Creating Unrest: Mamata Banerjee On Midnight Attack At Hospital 'Don't Club Us With Others,' Says Manipur's Thadou Tribe, Waits For Peace Plan More Monkey Pox Cases Likely To Hit Europe Soon, Says WHO Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.