Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPi) President Dr. Jose Rene De Grano clarified on Monday that the “Super flu” was a new strain of influenza that is not fatal but spreads quickly.
“May mga naco-confine pero wala tayong report na talagang dumadami. Kasi karamihan naman kapag ikaw ay may trangkaso, magpapa-checkup ka, pero hindi naman lahat may nagpapa-admit,” De Grano told DZRH on Balansyado.
So far, the Department of Health (DOH) has logged 63 cases of the Super flu, but De Grano noted that these patients recovered quickly.
Although most patients can recover at home, those with underlying diseases such as diabetes and asthma are advised to seek confinement in a hospital, he said. An illness such as the Super flu would place them at a higher risk than individuals without long-term health issues.
The PHAPi president assured that a vaccine for this new strain would be made available by next month.
“Ito’y bagong strain ‘yan, parang nag-mutate. Kumbaga sa ano, hindi pa niya sakop nung bakuna na inilabas nila,” he said. “Bagong strain ‘yan, so we’re expecting na baka by February, may lalabas na bagong bakuna.”
He added that it is best to get vaccinated as soon as the shots become available, as new strains not covered by the vaccines may develop later in the year.
“Normally, lumalabas ‘yan mga around February or March. First quarter, lumalabas ‘yan, e. Tsaka maganda na doon kayo magpabakuna. Usually pag bandang third quarter o fourth quarter na ng taon, medyo ibang variant na ‘yan, ibang strain,” De Grano explained.
The doctor said that while newer vaccinations would be more effective against newer variants, previous vaccinations still prove helpful, as they give an individual a degree of resistance against the illness.
However, vaccines are only usually effective within a year of getting them, he said.
As the Super flu is communicable through droplets expelled from the nose and mouth, De Grano advised both individuals with compromised immune systems and those who are already sick to wear facemasks. He recommended those displaying symptoms to isolate as well.
On Sunday, it was reported that 63 individuals in the country had contracted the Super flu. According to DOH Spokesperson Albert Domingo, it is a variant of Influenza A.
