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, a large number of cases are being registered this time in parts of the country.

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," Bharadwaj said.

"Instructions have been issued to district surveillance units, health facilities and government hospitals authorities to monitor the situation on a daily basis. All districts have been asked to ensure early screening to detect cases," he said.

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.

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