Greater Bengaluru logs 2,070 influenza cases by August 22, 2026

Greater Bengaluru had recorded 2,070 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases by August 22, close to the 2,587 cases logged over the whole of 2025.

Bengaluru Urban reported 1,011 cases this year, compared with 961 in 2025 and 991 in 2024. Bengaluru Rural and Bengaluru South each recorded 26 cases. Across Karnataka, the total stood at 4,212 cases from 32 districts, against 4,583 in all of 2025.

The health department said Karnataka typically sees influenza peaks from January to March and again from July to September, and described the current rise as seasonal rather than an outbreak. It has strengthened surveillance for influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infections through sentinel sites, respiratory-virus surveillance networks and diagnostic laboratories.

Health facilities have been asked to keep supplies including PPE, N95 masks and oseltamivir ready. Private hospitals have also been directed to follow H1N1 screening, testing and treatment protocols and report cases through the Integrated Health Information Platform.

Residents with flu-like symptoms have been advised to avoid crowded places, practise hand and respiratory hygiene, avoid self-medication and seek medical care early, particularly to protect people at higher risk.