Toxic air and weather change push 75% of Delhi households into viral illness: survey
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A new survey by LocalCircles has found that 75% of households in the Delhi-NCR region are currently affected by viral illnesses, as air quality continues to deteriorate to hazardous levels.
The study, released on Thursday, revealed that cases of viral infections such as COVID-19, flu, and other fever-like illnesses rose sharply from 56% of households on September 26 to 75% on October 28. The number is also higher than the 69% recorded on September 16.
The report said that when comparing the results over the past month, there had been a considerable increase in the number of households where one or more individuals were suffering from COVID, flu, or viral fever-like symptoms.
The surge is attributed to worsening air pollution and weather changes.
A dip in night temperatures across northern India, coupled with the burning of firecrackers during Diwali and farm fires in neighbouring states, has pushed Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) into the 400–500 range — a level considered “severe.”
The concentration of PM2.5 particles — among the most harmful pollutants — has reached nearly 350, far exceeding the safe limit of 35. The poor air quality, the report said, has triggered a wave of health issues, including viral infections linked to the H3N2 influenza virus and other viral diseases.
Residents have reported prolonged fever, sore throat, persistent cough, body aches, and fatigue, with recovery often taking longer than 10 days. The impact has been particularly severe on children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions.
In addition to viral infections, three out of four households in Delhi-NCR have someone suffering from pollution-related ailments such as breathing difficulties, sore throat, burning eyes, nasal congestion, cough, and headaches.
LocalCircles said that the survey underlined how poor air quality, combined with spreading viral illnesses, was having a double whammy effect on residents of Delhi NCR. It added that the need of the hour was for authorities to not only address the root causes of toxic air but also take steps to reduce the spread of viral illnesses by creating awareness about masking and limiting large indoor gatherings until the viral spread was contained.