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ICMR Study Flags Rise in Viral Infections, Identifies Top Pathogens Across India

By Sreedevi Chitharanjan

A new study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that there is a noticeable increase in viral infections across the country, highlighting key pathogens that continue to pose a threat to public health.

The study, carried out through ICMR’s Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) network, analysed hundreds of thousands of patient samples to identify viruses responsible for major disease outbreaks.
According to the data compiled by the VRDL network, nearly one in every nine samples tested between January and June 2025 showed the presence of an infectious agent. While the first quarter of the year recorded about 10.7 percent positivity, the rate rose to 11.5 percent in the following quarter — a marginal yet significant increase, scientists said.
Top Viruses Identified
The nationwide analysis pointed to five viruses that accounted for most of the reported cases. Influenza A emerged as the leading cause of respiratory illness, while Dengue virus was the predominant infection among fever-related cases. Hepatitis A was frequently detected in jaundice and liver inflammation samples, Norovirus in diarrhoeal outbreaks, and Herpes simplex virus (HSV) in patients with brain and nervous system infections.
Researchers said the consistent presence of these viruses across multiple states shows that India’s long-standing viral diseases remain widespread, even as the country continues to monitor emerging threats.
Cluster Detection and Laboratory Network
The ICMR’s VRDL network — which has expanded to over 160 laboratories across 31 states and union territories — played a crucial role in the study. These labs are part of a nationwide surveillance system that helps detect, verify, and monitor disease outbreaks in real time.
During the study period, hundreds of infection clusters were investigated across India, involving viruses such as mumps, measles, rubella, chikungunya, and rotavirus, among others. Scientists said these clusters help authorities understand how infections spread within communities and assist in timely containment measures.
Warning Signs for Public Health
Experts involved in the research described the rise in infection rates as a “signal that needs attention”, especially ahead of seasonal outbreaks linked to monsoon and post-monsoon conditions. They noted that while the increase may appear moderate, it indicates heightened transmission of viral diseases, many of which have predictable seasonal cycles.
“The surveillance data acts as an early warning system,” an ICMR official said. “It allows us to identify hotspots and prepare public health responses before outbreaks escalate.”
The Broader Picture
The ICMR’s findings underline the importance of continuous viral surveillance in India, where densely populated urban centres and changing weather patterns can accelerate the spread of infections. The growing positivity rate also points to improved diagnostic reach through the VRDL network, which now enables faster detection of multiple viruses, even in smaller medical institutions.
Health experts believe that timely reporting and data sharing from these laboratories will be crucial in guiding vaccination drives, vector-control programs, and sanitation measures. Strengthening local-level testing and data coordination, they say, will help prevent small outbreaks from turning into large-scale epidemics.
Need for Vigilance and Action
While the study highlights steady progress in laboratory capacity and disease tracking, it also warns against complacency. Regular surveillance, improved hygiene practices, and public awareness campaigns remain essential to curb the spread of viral infections, the report concludes.
The ICMR is expected to continue its quarterly surveillance across the country, offering detailed insights into emerging and re-emerging viruses that could influence India’s health priorities in the coming year.

Ends...


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