Karnataka issues winter flu alert, asks districts to brace for surge

Chetana Belagere

Dec 21, 2025

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The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department has directed all districts to be prepared for an “upcoming seasonal influenza surge” during January–March 2026.

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The advisory came amidst temperatures dipping due to an interplay between global La Nina conditions, synoptic advection from the Siberian High and nocturnal radiative cooling.

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Linking the advisory to the winter season, the circular asked all districts to initiate response measures “without delay, as an influenza surge is expected in the coming weeks.

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The circular directed all districts to immediately augment surveillance, testing, hospital preparedness and public awareness measures ahead of January.

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Seasonal influenza (seasonal flu) is a viral disease that spreads mainly through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also spreads via contaminated surfaces.

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While the illness is usually self-limiting and lasts around five to seven days, officials cautioned that certain groups were at higher risk of complications and might require hospitalisation.