DOH: No lockdown amid rising influenza-like illnesses cases

The Department of Health on Friday denied reports there will be a lockdown in some areas in the country amid the spread of influenza-like illnesses (ILI).

“Let me explain, the lockdown was done during Covid [pandemic]. There is no planned lockdown, that is fake news,” DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

“What we have is the seasonal respiratory illnesses. It’s not a flu outbreak. We do not have a flu outbreak. It is our ILI season, marami siyang sakit like ubo, sipon, trangkaso and all other similar illnesses that spreads very fast during the rainy season,” he said. 

(What we have is the seasonal respiratory illnesses. It’s not a flu outbreak. We do not have a flu outbreak. It is our ILI season and that comprises of various illnesses such as cough, fever, and all other similar illnesses that spreads very fast during the rainy season.)

Herbosa made the statement amid some social media posts stating that several areas in Luzon will be under lockdown due to an alleged ILI outbreak.

The Health secretary reiterated that there is no ILI outbreak or epidemic in the National Capital Region (NCR) and that the current number of cases is in line with anticipated increases during the flu season.

The number of ILI cases in September reached around 133,000, lower than the 155,000 cases reported in the same period in 2024, the Health chief added. 

“We know many people are getting sick. Magkaibang virus 'yun. Wala tayong outbreak from a single virus, there is no need to declare a lockdown but there is a recommendation to start wearing your mask or staying at home when you are sick. That is our public health recommendation,” Herbosa said. 

(We know many people are getting sick, but that is due to different viruses. There is no outbreak from a single virus, there is no need to declare a lockdown but there is a recommendation to start wearing your mask or staying at home when you are sick. That is our public health recommendation.) —AOL, GMA Integrated News