Directives to strengthen surveillance and treatment arrangements in districts reporting higher numbers of cases, prepare separate ICU wards for critical patients
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviews the influenza situation in the state, issues necessary directions for prevention and treatment
Issue detailed guidelines for prevention and treatment of H1N1, make teleconsultation system effective
Conduct intensive screening campaigns with the support of ANMs, ASHAs and other health workers to identify suspected patients: Chief Minister
Widely disseminate correct information on what to do and what not to do, do not allow a situation of panic to arise: Chief Minister
Lucknow, Sept 2026 : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that testing for Influenza-A (H1N1) be conducted free of cost at all government health institutions, including all district hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and medical colleges across the state. He said, "Surveillance and treatment arrangements should be further strengthened in districts reporting higher numbers of cases, and adequate arrangements for medicines, testing and isolation should be ensured in hospitals. Separate ICU wards should be prepared for critical patients."
He also directed that detailed guidelines regarding the prevention and treatment of H1N1 be issued and the teleconsultation system be made effective.
While reviewing the situation of Influenza-A (H1N1) and seasonal influenza in the state on Wednesday in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Minister of State Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh, the Chief Minister stated, "Timely identification and treatment of patients should be ensured. Wherever cases are increasing, surveillance should be intensified and necessary medical arrangements should be made immediately. It should also be ensured that private medical institutions do not charge more than the fee prescribed earlier for testing."
During the meeting, experts informed the Chief Minister that Influenza-A (H1N1) is a type of the Influenza-A virus and falls under the category of seasonal influenza. Its infection spreads mainly through microscopic droplets released during coughing and sneezing. Fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, body ache, chills and redness of the eyes are its major symptoms. It was informed that as of September 2, 685 laboratory-confirmed cases of Influenza-A (H1N1) have been reported in the state.
The Chief Minister said, "Patients with normal symptoms should be advised to rest at home and undergo self-isolation as per medical advice, while critical patients should be provided immediate medical care."
He directed that special attention be paid to children, pregnant women, people above 65 years of age and those already suffering from serious illnesses. Intensive screening campaigns be conducted with the support of ANMs, ASHAs and other health workers to identify suspected patients, and that information and assistance regarding home quarantine, masks and other measures to prevent infection be provided as required.
He also directed that separate counters be created in hospitals for patients with influenza-like symptoms.
The Chief Minister added, "Referrals should be arranged according to the condition of patients so that unnecessary pressure on hospitals does not increase and critical patients can receive timely treatment. Along with referring only patients with serious symptoms to hospitals, appropriate treatment and ICU arrangements should be ensured for such patients."
Experts informed that difficulty in breathing, chest pain, extreme drowsiness, low blood pressure, blood-stained sputum or blue discolouration of the nails may be signs of a serious condition. In children, persistent high fever, inability to take food, seizures, rapid breathing or difficulty in breathing, and worsening of a pre-existing illness are also serious signs.
It was informed in the meeting that there is adequate availability of Oseltamivir capsules and syrup as well as H1N1 vaccine in the state. Help desks, sample collection for testing and separate flu OPDs have been arranged at district hospitals. All medical colleges also have flu help desks, necessary testing, medicines and isolation beds available.
Director, SGPGI, Dr. R.K. Dhiman, Vice Chancellor, KGMU, Dr. Sonia Nityanand, and Director of Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Dr. C.M. Singh, informed the Chief Minister about the treatment facilities, testing and availability of medicines at their respective institutions. The meeting was informed that medical colleges have arrangements for flu OPDs and isolation beds, and adequate RT-PCR kits are available for testing.
He said, "The public awareness campaign for preventing infection should be made effective. Simple, correct and factual information about what to do and what not to do should be conveyed to people so that an unnecessary situation of panic does not arise. Extensive publicity should be undertaken at hospitals and crowded places regarding hand hygiene, precautions while coughing and sneezing, and measures to prevent infection."
The Chief Minister directed that the H1N1 situation be continuously monitored and that immediate necessary steps be taken if an increase in cases is observed in any district.
He stated, "Timely identification of the disease, prompt treatment for patients in need, availability of adequate medical resources and dissemination of correct information to people are an effective strategy for dealing with the infection."
