A SHARP spike in seasonal illnesses has put Bhopal on high alert, with swine flu and dengue cases rising rapidly amid fluctuating weather conditions. According to district health department data, the cumulative count of confirmed swine flu cases in the capital has reached 72 this year. September has emerged as the most critical period, accounting for 46 of the total cases, with four fresh infections reported in the last week alone. Officials confirmed the death of an 80-year-old patient with severe co-morbidities at a private hospital last week. At present, 17 active H1N1 patients are under monitoring. Of these, 11 are admitted to various city hospitals for supervised care, while six with mild symptoms are recovering in strict home isolation. Health experts said that nearly 95 per cent of cases are of mild intensity and recovering without intensive care. Government and private hospital OPDs are witnessing heavy rush.

 

At JP Hospital, OPD footfall for seasonal illnesses has risen by nearly 30 per cent, with patients reporting high-grade fever, severe cough, sore throat, body ache and breathing difficulty. Doctors said cases of viral pneumonia have nearly doubled. Simultaneously, dengue cases have risen to 81 in Bhopal. As per the District Malaria Office, 4,877 people were tested in 2026, with 78 found positive, including seven positives out of 220 samples tested in the first 11 days of September. AIIMS Bhopal has been designated as the primary hub for H1N1 confirmatory testing. Bhopal CMHO Dr Manish Sharma said the situation is under control and most admitted patients are stable. The department has advised against self-medication and indiscriminate use of antibiotics, urging elderly, children and those with diabetes, heart or lung conditions to avoid crowded places and seek immediate medical advice if fever and respiratory symptoms persist.