JAIPUR: Rajasthan’s health department has issued an alert after the state reported 55 swine flu cases in August, the highest monthly increase so far this year.The fresh cases have taken the state’s H1N1 tally to 146 between January and August 2026. Officials said August recorded the sharpest rise, prompting health authorities to step up monitoring, preparedness and public advisories across medical institutions.Health and medical education minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar said the department is closely tracking the situation amid a rise in H1N1 cases in parts of the country, particularly Delhi. He said all medical institutions in Rajasthan have been directed to remain prepared for testing, treatment and referral of suspected and confirmed cases.Principal secretary (health and medical education) Gayatri Rathore said Rajasthan reported two cases in January, three in February, 20 in March, 22 in April, 25 in May, 14 in June, five in July and 55 in August.Rathore said no new or more dangerous strain of the H1N1 virus has been confirmed. Citing the Indian Council of Medical Research, she said the currently circulating virus is an already active strain. She urged people not to panic and advised caution, especially among vulnerable groups.Swine flu, or Influenza A H1N1, is a respiratory infection. Its symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, headache, body ache and fatigue. Children, elderly people, pregnant women and people with chronic or serious illnesses are at higher risk of complications, the health department officials said.The department has advised people to cover their mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, wash hands frequently, use sanitiser, avoid crowded places if symptomatic and wear masks when needed.Patients have been advised to rest, drink fluids and avoid self-medication. Rathore warned people against taking antibiotics or antiviral medicines without medical advice, changing dosages on their own or continuing medicines without medical supervision.Health officials said people experiencing breathing difficulty, persistent high fever, severe weakness, low oxygen levels or serious symptoms should immediately contact the nearest health facility. Symptomatic persons have also been advised to avoid schools, offices, public events and close contact with others to reduce the risk of transmission.However, agriculture minister Kirori Lal Meena and another patient are undergoing treatment in intensive care after testing positive for H1N1. Doctors said the virus can affect the lungs and impair breathing.“Both his lungs are infiltrated by the H1N1 virus,” said Dr Deepak Maheshwari, principal of SMS Medical College. He added that Meena’s condition was improving in the medicine ICU.The health department has earmarked a dedicated ICU for swine flu patients in anticipation of a possible rise in cases, given the virus’s highly infectious nature. Meena, however, is being treated in the medicine ICU at SMS Hospital.“He is in the medicine ICU, but we have kept him in complete isolation. He is undergoing treatment in isolation,” Maheshwari said.
