Dakshina Kannada reports 87 H1N1 cases; Mangaluru accounts for 60

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 28, 2026: As many as 87 influenza (H1N1) cases have been detected in Dakshina Kannada district up to August 25, with Mangaluru taluk reporting the highest number at 60 cases, District Health Officer Dr H.R. Thimmaiah said.

Speaking at a press conference held at the District Health and Family Welfare Office on Thursday, Dr Thimmaiah and District Surveillance Officer Dr Naveen Chandra Kulal briefed the media on the current disease situation, preparedness and preventive measures.

Following an emergency meeting chaired by the Health Minister with senior district-level health, surveillance and medical officers, instructions were issued to create public awareness through the media and prevent confusion caused by misinformation.

H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, is an influenza infection that generally increases during colder weather and is commonly reported during January-March and July-September. The infection spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected individual coughs, sneezes or comes into close contact with others. The virus can spread rapidly in crowded places, officials said.

According to Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) surveillance data, Dakshina Kannada recorded 87 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases between January 1 and August 25, 2026. The district had reported 71 cases between January and August 2025, while 207 cases were recorded during the whole of 2025 and 208 cases in 2024.

Of the 87 cases reported this year, Mangaluru taluk accounted for 60 cases, followed by Bantwal with 14, Puttur with seven, Beltangady with five and Sullia with one case.

The Health Department has strengthened surveillance of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases. District hospitals, medical college hospitals and super-speciality hospitals have been identified as surveillance centres to facilitate early detection, diagnosis and treatment.

ILI generally includes symptoms such as fever, cough, throat irritation, headache and body ache. In severe cases, the infection can progress to pneumonia and cause serious breathing difficulties. Authorities have advised that patients experiencing breathing difficulties should be admitted to hospital immediately.