Bengaluru, 24 August

Karnataka Health Minister UT Khader on Monday said there was no need for panic over H1N1 in the state, noting that all 4,212 people who tested positive since January have recovered.

He said around 300-400 cases are currently active, with most reported in Bengaluru, particularly within the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits.

Khader chaired a review meeting with senior health officials to assess the influenza situation and preparedness. The Health Department said the current rise was part of the normal monsoon surge, with influenza generally recording two seasonal peaks -- January-March and July-September.

According to Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) data, Karnataka recorded 4,212 laboratory-confirmed cases across 32 districts till August 22, compared with 4,583 in 2025 and 3,903 in 2024.

Khader said most patients were treated at home, with only a few requiring hospitalisation, and assured that the state had adequate infrastructure and medicines to handle any surge.

He said around 400 cases had been reported in Bengaluru since January, with about 200 currently active.

Urging people to remain alert, Khader advised basic precautions, particularly in crowded places. He said viruses could become more active depending on weather and other conditions, but there was currently no dangerous situation. He added that people with lower immunity could be more vulnerable to infections.