DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa – Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday said the recently reported “super flu” variant is not a cause for major concern in the Philippines but emphasized the importance of vaccination and basic health precautions.
The Department of Health’s Epidemiology Bureau recorded 17 cases of the virus in Metro Manila between July and August last year, all of whom have since fully recovered. No new cases have been reported as of this week.
At a Palace briefing, Herbosa advised Filipinos traveling to temperate countries, including North America and the United Kingdom, to stay alert as the virus continues to circulate in those regions.
“Perhaps get the northern hemisphere vaccination. That’s my best advice for them,” Herbosa said, noting that the flu is generally self-limiting but can be more serious for vulnerable groups.
He added that elderly individuals and people with underlying medical conditions, such as cancer, are at higher risk of complications and should be especially careful.
Herbosa also reminded the public to practice proper respiratory hygiene, including covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and to receive flu shots as recommended.
The “super flu,” officially identified as subclade K of influenza A (H3N2), is currently the most reported strain in the United States and the United Kingdom, and may cause symptoms that last from a few days up to two weeks.
