No outbreak, no lockdown amid spike in seasonal flu cases - DOH

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Health said there is no flu outbreak in the country amid the rise of seasonal influenza-like illnesses, stressing there is no need to implement a nationwide lockdown.

In a news briefing on Friday, Oct. 17, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa cleared disinformation, saying influenza-like illnesses typically increase during the rainy season.

“Wala tayong outbreak from a single virus,” he said, adding that the cases this year are even lower compared to the same period in 2024.

[Translation: There’s no outbreak from a single virus.]

Herbosa stressed that while there is no need to declare a lockdown, the public is urged to wear masks and stay indoors when they are sick.

The Health chief added that he supports the directive of the Department of Education in Metro Manila for suspending classes on October 13 to 14 amid increasing cases of influenza-like illnesses among students and personnel and the recent series of earthquakes that struck the country.

“It’s actually also good. I think the kids if they don’t go to school will not infect each other. My fear is that kids will get infected, they recover after 3 to 5 days pero if they bring it home to a lolo or lola (their grandparents) or someone who’s on a dialysis, baka iyon ang mamatay (maybe they will die),” said Herbosa.

The Secretary met with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on Friday, Oct. 17 to discuss the hundreds of so-called “super health centers” which were completed but appeared to be non-operational.