Karachi hospitals report sharp rise in H1N1 flu cases

“Karachi hospitals are reporting a surge in flu-like illnesses, with 400 influenza cases recorded at one major hospital and another receiving up to 80 symptomatic patients daily.”

— Editorial Team

Key points

Karachi hospitals are reporting a surge in flu-like illnesses, with 400 influenza cases recorded at one major hospital and another receiving up to 80 symptomatic patients daily.
Medical experts say H1N1 is circulating and warn that infections may rise further, particularly threatening children, older adults and immunocompromised people.

Health|By Editorial Team|Published 29-Oct-26|Latest update 10/29/2026, 8:16:12 AM|2 min read

Hospitals in Karachi are reporting a marked increase in patients experiencing influenza-like symptoms, with the H1N1 strain circulating in the city. Aga Khan University Hospital has recorded 400 influenza cases during the year, while Civil Hospital is treating between 70 and 80 people with flu-like symptoms each day.

Medical specialists have warned that infections could continue rising through the remaining months of the year. They are urging residents to take precautions and advising people who face a greater risk of complications to consult healthcare professionals about influenza vaccination.

Professor Faisal Mahmood of Aga Khan University Hospital’s Department of Infectious Diseases said H1N1 was among the influenza strains currently circulating in Karachi. H1N1 became widely known as swine flu during the 2009 pandemic, but the virus has continued evolving and producing new variants since then.

The 400 confirmed cases do not necessarily represent the true scale of transmission. Diagnostic testing is generally conducted for patients with more serious illness rather than everyone arriving with flu-like symptoms, which means a significant number of infections may remain unconfirmed.

Influenza can cause pneumonia and other serious respiratory complications. Older adults, young children and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness, making early medical advice and preventive measures especially important for these groups.

Civil Hospital emergency department head Dr Imran Sarwar Sheikh said daily arrivals of patients with flu-like symptoms had nearly doubled. The hospital is also seeing more than 10 suspected influenza cases each month, with some patients referred to Dow University hospitals for further testing and treatment.

The reported increase places additional pressure on Karachi’s healthcare facilities as the city approaches the final months of the year. Specialists have particularly encouraged vulnerable residents to seek professional guidance about vaccination and to avoid ignoring worsening respiratory symptoms.