Prime Highlights
- Delhi-NCR is witnessing a sharp spike in flu and viral infections, with H3N2 Influenza A identified as the main virus.
- Doctors warn that illnesses are lasting up to 10 days and are leading to severe cases such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
Key Facts
- A LocalCircles survey shows 69% of households in Delhi-NCR reported one or more members with flu-like symptoms, a rise from 54% in March 2025.
- Around 37% of households reported four or more sick family members, highlighting the widespread nature of the outbreak.
Background
Since the monsoon season, Delhi-NCR is seeing a sharp rise in flu and viral illnesses. Citizens of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad are experiencing high fever, cough, sore throat, and difficulty in breathing.
A LocalCircles survey, with over 11,000 responses, found that 69% of households reported one or more family members having Covid, flu, or viral fever symptoms. About 37% of respondents said four or more family members were sick, while 32% reported one to three sick people at home. Only 25% of households had no cases. This is a big increase from March 2025, when 54% of households reported similar illnesses.
Doctors say the main virus causing the outbreak is H3N2 Influenza A. Unlike regular flu, which lasts around 5–7 days, this virus causes illnesses that can last up to 10 days. Hospitals are experiencing increased cases of patients with severe illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and breathing difficulties.
“Cases caused by the H3N2 virus are rising fast. People should isolate and wear masks to avoid spreading it, especially around the elderly or those with health problems like diabetes or heart disease,” said Dr Animesh Ray from AIIMS.
H3N2 is a type of Influenza A that often spreads during flu season. It usually comes from pigs but can also infect people. The virus changes often, which makes predicting its impact hard.
Health experts advise people showing symptoms to stay home, use masks, and avoid contact with others. They also stress the importance of good hygiene to stop the virus from spreading further in the community.
