Indonesia’s Ministry of Health has confirmed 62 cases of so-called “super flu” detected across eight provinces as of late December 2025, prompting strengthened surveillance while officials stress there is no need for public panic. The cases are concentrated mainly in East Java, South Kalimantan, and West Java, with no significant new clusters reported entering 2026.
The term “super flu” is not an official medical diagnosis. It is a public label used to describe a more aggressive variant of influenza A, currently dominated by H3N2 subclade K, which spreads faster and may cause more severe symptoms than typical seasonal influenza. Health authorities emphasize that, based on current evidence, the virus does not pose a higher overall fatality risk compared to ordinary flu when properly treated.
The Ministry of Health has stepped up influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) monitoring nationwide, alongside enhanced laboratory surveillance and reporting systems. Hospitals have been instructed to remain alert for rapid symptom progression, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Health officials report that most confirmed super flu patients have responded well to standard influenza treatment. Clinical management has largely involved supportive care combined with antiviral medication, with the majority of patients recovering without serious complications and returning home after observation.
In early 2026, authorities confirmed one fatality linked to a super flu infection in West Java, noting that the patient had significant underlying health conditions. Officials stressed that comorbidities played a major role in the outcome and reiterated that severe cases remain uncommon. As of the latest update, no surge in new cases has been reported in 2026, and existing patients continue to be monitored closely.
A senior health official urged the public to stay vigilant without fear, emphasizing that early medical consultation, rapid isolation, and accurate reporting remain the most effective control measures.
Mitigation Measures in Airports and Public Areas
Preventive protocols have also been reinforced in high-mobility public spaces, particularly in tourism hubs. The Ministry of Tourism has reiterated the importance of Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability (CHSE) standards for destinations and travel-related businesses.
At I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, thermal scanners have been reactivated at arrival points to identify passengers with elevated body temperatures. Airport authorities confirmed that the screening devices, initially installed during the COVID-19 pandemic, remain fully operational. Regional governments, including Bali’s administration, report no confirmed local cases but continue to promote preventive behavior.
Understanding Super Flu and How to Prevent It
Super flu symptoms generally resemble seasonal influenza but tend to be more intense. Common signs include high fever above 38.5°C, persistent dry cough, severe muscle and joint pain, extreme fatigue, headaches, sore throat, and in more serious cases, shortness of breath. Children, older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic illnesses face a higher risk of complications such as pneumonia.
The virus spreads mainly through respiratory droplets, making prevention essential. Health experts strongly recommend annual influenza vaccination, which studies show can reduce severe illness—offering about 70% protection in children and 40% in adults, even when vaccines are based on older H3N2 strains.
Additional preventive measures include wearing masks in crowded settings, washing hands regularly, maintaining distance when unwell, and staying home at the first sign of flu symptoms to prevent further transmission.
Source: RSPP, AntaraNews, RS Djatiroto, Halodoc
Photo Credit: via md-50.com
