Top 5 Viral Pathogens Spreading in India: ICMR Data
Influenza A, dengue virus, Hepatitis A, Norovirus, and Herpes simplex virus (HSV) have emerged as the top five pathogens detected by the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) laboratory network. These were found respectively in cases of acute respiratory infection (ARI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), acute fever and haemorrhagic fever, jaundice, acute diarrheal disease (ADD) outbreaks, and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). The findings are part of ICMR’s ongoing efforts to track viral infections of public health significance.
The Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL) network of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reported a slight rise in pathogen detection between the first two quarters of 2025. From January to March, pathogens were identified in 24,502 of 2,28,856 samples (10.7%), while from April to June, 26,055 of 2,26,095 samples (11.5%) tested positive. Overall, among the 4.5 lakh samples tested during the first half of the year, pathogens were detected in 11.1% of cases, indicating an increase in infectious disease spread from 10.7% to 11.5%, according to the ICMR report.
According to a senior scientist while this increase may not appear large, it should not be underestimated - it could serve as a warning for seasonal diseases and emerging infections. If we continue tracking quarterly changes in infection rates, future epidemics could be prevented in time. The VRDL network acts as an early warning system for the country.
The ICMR report showed that between April and June this year, 191 disease clusters were investigated, identifying infections such as mumps, measles, rubella, dengue, chikungunya, rotavirus, norovirus, varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and astrovirus.
Between January and March, 389 disease clusters were investigated, with pathogens including mumps, measles, rubella, hepatitis, dengue, chikungunya, rotavirus, influenza, Leptospira, varicella zoster virus, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) identified.
From 2014 to 2024, more than 40 lakh samples were tested under the VRDL network, with pathogens detected in 18.8% of cases. The network has grown from 27 laboratories in 2014 to 165 laboratories across 31 states and Union Territories by 2025. Through this expanding system, 2,534 disease clusters have been identified across the country so far.
The VRDL network’s findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and early detection of viral infections. With pathogens identified in over 11% of samples in the first half of 2025 and thousands of disease clusters tracked nationwide, the ICMR’s efforts play a critical role in preventing outbreaks and safeguarding public health.
