Super flu cases in PH 'not alarming,' says DOH's Herbosa

At least 17 cases of a new subclass of super flu were monitored in the Philippines from July to August 2025, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa Jr., however, said all patients have since recovered.

"We detected about 17 cases that were determined to be of the new subclass of the super flu. All of them have recovered," Herbosa told reporters during a Palace briefing.

The cases were detected following a review with the DOH Epidemiology Bureau after the United States and Europe reported a surge in cases, Herbosa said.

"Not alarming. But there is a new variant out there," he added.

The DOH last week assured the public that there are no existing cases of super flu in the country amid reports of increasing cases in the United States and Europe

Herbosa advised Filipinos traveling in temperate countries such as the US and UK to remain vigilant of the influenza and avail of the Northern Hemisphere vaccine, which he said is different from the Southern Hemisphere vaccine being administered in the Philippines.

The public is also reminded to practice minimum health standards when experiencing flu-like symptoms including wearing masks, and staying at home to prevent spread of infection.

Reuters previously reported that the UK was preparing for a “worst case scenario” with a new wave of super flu cases as hospitalizations jumped to 55% in mid-December.

Meanwhile, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States reported an 14.8% increase in influenza cases in mid-December, with super flu or AH3N2 as the most reported virus for the week.

The CDC said 89.8% of their 216 AH3N2 cases since September 28 were confirmed as Subclade K cases. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News