No confirmed ‘super flu’ cases in Iloilo

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo Provincial Health Office assured the public that there are no confirmed cases of the so-called “super flu” in the province despite growing global concern over a new influenza variant.

IPHO chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon said the office has not received any advisory from the Department of Health regarding the presence of the variant in Iloilo and has not recorded any unusual increase in influenza cases.

“Our flu cases remain stable. We have not seen any remarkable increase,” Quiñon said during a press conference on Jan. 8, adding that monitored reports continue to fall under influenza-like illness.

Quiñon said the so-called super flu is still a form of influenza and is more commonly observed in winter or temperate regions, making international travel a potential risk factor for exposure.

As a precaution, the IPHO advised Ilonggos traveling to colder countries to receive the appropriate flu vaccination.

“What we can do now is to observe basic preventive measures, the 3Ms—Magmaskara (mask-wearing), Manghinaw (proper hand hygiene) and Magdistansya (physical distancing),” Quiñon said.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. echoed the call for vigilance, urging the public to remain prepared and proactive even without a formal advisory.

“Back to basics kita—observation. We do that even without an advisory,” Defensor said.

The super flu, officially termed subclade K, is a new variant of influenza A (H3N2) that has been reported in several parts of the world.

The World Health Organization said the variant has been detected in more than 34 countries over the past six months.

On Jan. 7, the DOH said the presence of the variant in the Philippines is “not alarming” but advised Filipinos traveling to North America and the United Kingdom to receive the Northern Hemisphere flu vaccine amid rising cases in the United States and Europe.

DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said influenza is generally a self-limiting illness but recommended vaccination, especially for older adults and individuals with underlying health conditions.

The DOH earlier recorded 41 cases of the super flu in the country from August to October last year, all of whom have since recovered.