Wamenkes: 62 Cases of Superflu Detected, Still in Safe Limits

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Health (Wamenkes) Benjamin Paulus Octavianus stated that more than 62 cases of superflu were detected in Indonesian territory, but this should not be a concern because it is still within safe limits.

"Superflu is safe, if I'm not mistaken, superflu is influenza A (H3N2) subclade K, it happened for the first time in America. So, for today's cases in Indonesia, only 62 have been examined in the laboratory, yes, for the vaccine we are used to, (influenza) vaccines as usual," he said as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, January 8.

Benjamin emphasized that the flu cases over the past two months had also decreased and the increase only occurred at the beginning of the transition from the dry season to the rainy season, and vice versa.

"But remember, today the flu cases have dropped significantly over the past two months. The last two weeks have also been declining, so the flu always peaks at the beginning of the season," he said.

Previously, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin confirmed that influenza A (H3N2) subclade K or the so-called superflu has been around for a long time, like the common flu, and is not as deadly as during COVID-19 or tuberculosis (TB).

"So don't worry that this is like COVID-19 killing it. No. This is a common flu. Influenza H3N2," said Budi.

Like the common flu, said Budi, if you get it, the disease can come back again. Every winter, cases due to the virus always rise in the four-season country, but in a country like Indonesia, the increase is not too high.

"That's why in those countries there is an influenza vaccine every year that they inject," he said.

Although not as dangerous as COVID-19, he reminded to maintain health and immunity with enough rest, regular exercise.