New Delhi, December 23, 2025 — India has significantly strengthened its preparedness for the upcoming influenza season following a two-day national Influenza Chintan Shivir organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The high-level deliberations reinforced inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral coordination, resulting in a structured national action framework to deal with seasonal and zoonotic influenza.
The Chintan Shivir, held on December 22–23 in New Delhi, was organised by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s India office. It brought together key stakeholders from health, animal husbandry, agriculture, environment, disaster management, and research institutions to strengthen India’s preparedness and response mechanisms ahead of the flu season.
Focus on Early Warning, Surveillance and Clinical Readiness
One of the major outcomes of the discussions was the development of a comprehensive influenza preparedness checklist. Designed to guide preparedness planning at the central, state, and district levels, the checklist focuses on four critical areas:
Surveillance, early warning, and risk assessment
Strengthening laboratory systems and diagnostic capacity
Hospital preparedness and clinical response
Integrated health coordination, risk communication, and community engagement
This structured approach aims to ensure timely detection, effective clinical management, and coordinated response during influenza outbreaks.
Union Health Minister Emphasises Coordinated Action
Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, who inaugurated the workshop via video message, highlighted the importance of coordinated preparedness and rapid response planning to control influenza. He underlined the critical role of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and stressed the need for close coordination between the Centre and states to build robust and collaborative surveillance systems.
‘One Health’ Approach Takes Centre Stage
The two-day workshop saw participation from nearly 100 experts and representatives from central ministries, state governments, premier research institutions, and international partners. Representatives from 11 states with a history of influenza cases attended in person, while IDSP officials from state and district surveillance units joined virtually. The platform enabled the sharing of best practices through technical presentations, panel discussions, group work, and state-level case studies.
A strong consensus emerged on adopting a ‘Whole-of-Government’ and ‘One Health’ approach, recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in tackling seasonal and zoonotic influenza.
Protecting Vulnerable Populations
Officials reiterated that influenza continues to pose a significant public health challenge, especially for young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic illnesses. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is closely monitoring seasonal influenza trends across states and Union Territories in real time through the IDSP network.
