NIH Issues Advisory as Influenza Cases Rise in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health has issued a precautionary advisory regarding the prevention and management of seasonal influenza (H3N2) after an increase in cases reported both internationally and within Pakistan.

The advisory urges provincial health departments and concerned institutions to take timely preventive and control measures. It also calls on healthcare facilities to prepare for a possible rise in patient numbers in both outpatient and inpatient departments in the coming months.

The NIH stated that influenza is a contagious viral respiratory illness caused by Influenza A and B viruses and leads to seasonal outbreaks every year worldwide. It noted that Influenza A spreads more easily and often causes more severe illness, particularly among elderly individuals, children, pregnant women, and people suffering from chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung diseases.

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In South-East Asia, influenza detection rates have increased notably, with H3N2 accounting for 66 percent of all reported Influenza A cases between May and late November 2025.