Clinics reported a rise in RSV-related hospitalisations for breathing difficulties, wheezing and persistent cough.
Published Nov 30, 2025 | 7:48 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 30, 2025 | 8:40 AM
Paediatricians, too, are witnessing a spike — particularly among infants and toddlers — in fever cases.
Synopsis: The surge began earlier this year, sustained longer, and encompassed a larger mix of respiratory viruses. State public-health officials felt that changes in seasonal patterns combined with increased viral circulation might be responsible.
Tamil Nadu is witnessing an early — and steep — surge in seasonal fevers.
Hospitals across Chennai and adjoining districts have reported a 25–50% increase in outpatient visits over the past fortnight, with inpatient and intensive care admissions, too, rising by up to 10%.
Doctors said most cases were being driven by respiratory viruses, not vector-borne diseases.
According to the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, many patients tested positive for viruses such as Influenza A, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and rhinovirus.
Early diagnostic data from the State Public Health Laboratory backed the observations: Nearly 30% of fever-patient samples tested positive for Influenza A (subtypes H1N1 and H3N2), with a smaller number showing Influenza B.
Paediatricians, too, were witnessing a spike — particularly among infants and toddlers. Clinics reported a rise in RSV-related hospitalisations for breathing difficulties, wheezing and persistent cough.
Though most children recovered with standard care, medical experts warned that pre-term or low birth-weight babies risked complications.
The surge in 2025 marked a visible shift from the previous year. Data from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) under the Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP) showed that Tamil Nadu had recorded only about 1,500 influenza cases in 2024.
It was a drop compared to previous years, but the post-monsoon months saw some uptick.
This year, however, the surge began earlier, sustained longer, and encompassed a larger mix of respiratory viruses. State public-health officials felt that changes in seasonal patterns combined with increased viral circulation might be responsible.
With Influenza A, RSV and rhinovirus circulating, hospitals were bracing for increasing demand.
The health department advised that vulnerable groups — infants, the elderly, people with co-morbidities — should take precautions such as wearing facemasks in crowded spaces, maintain good hygiene, and seek timely medical consultation if symptoms worsen.
Dr Madhumitha R, Senior Consultant, Infectious Diseases and Infection Control at MGM Healthcare, said increased testing made respiratory viruses appear more dominant this year.
“Flu was high last year as well. What has changed is that testing facilities have become better, and now everyone wants to know exactly which virus they have,” she told South First.
“Earlier, if you had a cold or fever, the doctor simply treated it. Now people want to know if it’s influenza, COVID, or something else. Since we are testing more, we are seeing higher numbers,” she added.
Besides the surge in respiratory viruses, doctors said several other infectious diseases were also showing an upward trend. Hospitals have reported increased cases of enteric fevers.
Dr Madhumita noted an increase in both Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi. “We are seeing a lot of paratyphoid fever recently,” she added.
Doctors emphasised that individual precautions were crucial to prevent complications since Influenza A, RSV and rhinovirus were circulating simultaneously.
Dr Madhumitha said high-risk groups, including young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immunity, should take extra care this season.
She also stressed that people with comorbidities such as diabetes, heart disease or lung problems should seek early medical attention if they develop symptoms, because timely antiviral treatment could make a significant difference.
Dr Madhumitha suggested five preventive steps:
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
