Major hospitals struggle to keep up with rising flu patients, ICUs overcrowded
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Health experts said the sudden weather change, heavy rainfall followed by dry spells, was likely behind the surge in infections, especially respiratory.
A Jehangir Hospital's representative admitted that the health hub's general wards and ICU were at full capacity because of a surge in cases of influenza and other viral infections.
Both H3N2 and H1N1 are subtypes of Influenza A virus, and spread through respiratory droplets, contact with contaminated surfaces and human-to-human contact.
Similar to regular flu, their symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Dr Sagar Lad, neonatologist and paediatric intensivist at Jehangir and Sahyadri hospitals, admitted a significant surge in H3N2 cases among children, with many presenting severe symptoms like high fever, persistent cough and breathing difficulties. "Most of the children with severe illness are unvaccinated against flu.
The pattern seems linked to recent weather change (heavy rainfall followed by a dry spell), which often triggers a spike in respiratory infections.
Preterm and low-birth-weight babies, as well as those with chronic diseases, are especially vulnerable to severe infections. At present, nearly 6-7 of my paediatric patients have pneumonia," Dr Lad said.
He said most of the samples sent to laboratories tested positive for H3N2.
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Dr Amita Kaul, head of paediatrics at Surya Mother and Child Super Speciality Hospital, said the health facility was experiencing an unusually high load of flu among children, causing the ICU to fill to capacity. "Over the past three weeks, respiratory infections have surged, with children presenting with high fever (104–105°F) and some even developing febrile delirium (disoriented state). Some younger children are also exhibiting febrile convulsions or seizures," she said.
She said of 100 recent hospital admissions for febrile respiratory illness, 70 were tested using nasal PCR and the results showed 70% positive for influenza A (H3N2) and 10% for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affecting the lungs. "Most of these cases are schoolgoing children. Although vaccinated children can still get infected, they typically experience milder symptoms, faster recovery and fewer hospitalisations," Dr Kaul said.
According to state health department data, Influenza A cases (particularly H1N1) have more than doubled from just over 300 in June-end to 623 as of Aug 7. Most cases have been reported from Mumbai and Pune.
Infectious disease specialist Dr Ameet Dravid, who consults at Noble and Poona Hospitals, said both hospitals' ICUs were full due to a surge in H1N1 and H3N2 cases. "This time of year typically sees a resurgence of influenza, and this season is particularly severe.
Many patients have viral respiratory infections, with some developing pneumonia and requiring ventilator support. The majority of admissions are elderly patients over 60, most of whom are unvaccinated against influenza," he said.
A top hospital representative said the health hub made arrangements to shift patients to other facilities with available space in view of the case surge. "We've even had to refuse some admissions due to lack of ICU beds," the representative said.
Dr Sunil Rao, medical director and chief operating officer at Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune, said, "Around our network, the Deccan facility is operating at full capacity, while that in Hadapsar is at 80-90% occupancy, primarily managing cases like dengue, viral hepatitis, gastroenterological conditions and pneumonia, among others. At Nagar Road, ICU has about 20% of total admissions for respiratory infections, with nearly half of these patients showing flu-like symptoms.
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