Learning from COVID-19, the DKI DPRD asks the Provincial Government not to take the threat of Super Flu lightly

JAKARTA - Secretary of the E Commission of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Justin Adrian Untayana, reminded the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government not to underestimate the emergence of super flu cases that were later reported to have occurred in Jakarta. He assessed that Jakarta's bitter experience at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic should be taken as a serious lesson.

According to Justin, the delay of the local government in taking steps to handle it in 2020 made Jakarta temporarily become the epicenter of the spread of Covid-19 in Indonesia. At that time, Jakarta even contributed around 33 percent of the total national daily cases.

"The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government must not take the super flu cases that are happening lightly, the initial experience of the COVID-19 pandemic must be a stern warning for the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government," Justin told reporters, Monday, January 5.

Justin assessed that the rapid spread of COVID-19 at that time was triggered by a rapid response in limiting mobility, weak early detection through testing and tracing, and weak risk communication to the public. The threat in the early phase, he said, also tends to be underestimated.

"In 2020, Jakarta, which was late in taking action, finally became the epicenter of the spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia, and even contributed about 33 percent of the total national daily cases," he continued.

Justin reminded that the same mistake should not be repeated. He assessed that even a little delay could have a big impact and risk making Jakarta again a center for the spread of the disease.

"Don't let the same mistake be repeated. The provincial government must not take this super flu issue lightly, because even a little delay can have a big impact and make Jakarta again a center for the spread of the disease," he said.

He emphasized that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government needed to take proactive steps immediately, ranging from strengthening monitoring and early detection at health facilities to ensuring the readiness of hospitals and health centers. Cross-sector coordination is also considered a key to ensuring that handling does not run on its own.

"In addition, education to the public needs to continue so that they are not panicked but remain vigilant, so that treatment can be carried out effectively and not too late," said Justin.

Previously, the DKI Jakarta Health Office stated that until now no cases of super flu have been found in the capital city. However, vigilance is still needed considering the high mobility of residents after the Christmas and New Year holidays and the arrival of the rainy season.

The Head of the DKI Jakarta Health Office, Ani Ruspitawati, explained that the super flu is an Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (ISPA) disease caused by the Influenza Type A H3N2 Subclade K virus. This disease is called super flu because of its relatively faster spread rate.

"This virus has started to increase its transmission activity since August 2025 worldwide. However, the latest epidemiological data released by WHO does not indicate an increase in the severity of the disease," said Ani.

Based on the results of whole genome sequencing (WGS) released by the Ministry of Health on January 1, 2026, SuperFlu is known to have circulated in Indonesia since August 2025.

Currently, SuperFlu has been detected in eight provinces, namely East Java, South Kalimantan, West Java, South Sumatra, North Sumatra, Central Java, North Sulawesi, and the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

"Based on this information, there is currently no case of super flu in the DKI Jakarta Province," said Ani.