Health reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon said on Monday that there is sufficient basis for the public to remain alert amid the reported increase in cases of the so-called "super flu" in the country.
In an interview with dzRH's Damdaming Bayan, Leachon said that once the Department of Health issues an advisory, the situation should already be considered a "national concern."
This comes after the Department of Health (DOH) clarified last week that the recently detected super flu in the Philippines is not alarming, even as health authorities continue to closely monitor the emergence of a new flu variant.
According to Dr. Leachon, hospitals have been seeing an increase in pneumonia admissions, many of which may have started as cases of super flu.
“Nafe-feel ko bilang doctor…na-aadmit into the hospitals because of pneumonia. Karaniwan itong mga ganitong pasyente ay mayroong comorbid conditions at pagpasok ng hospital sila ay complications pneumonia or may tubig sa baga or ‘yung datihan nilang sakit biglang nawawala,” Leachon said.
He noted that most of the admitted patients have underlying or comorbid conditions, and are brought to hospitals with complications such as pneumonia, fluid in the lungs, or sudden worsening of pre-existing illnesses.
Leachon explained that the rise in pneumonia cases may be linked to new influenza subclades, including H3N2 and other variants, which may not be fully covered by existing vaccines.
"Tumaas ang na-admit sa pneumonia, siguro nagsisimula sila dito sa superflu, subclade K, or H3N2 virus or whatever type of influenza kasi maraming sub-type gaya nitong superflu pero medyo mabigat ang variant na ito dahil maaaring hindi macover ng dating mga bakuna," he said.
He urged Health Secretary Ted Herbosa to compile daily data from both public and private hospitals on the number of super flu cases.
He added that unlike ordinary flu, which usually requires only rest and hydration, the super flu can last one to two weeks, often requiring medical consultation and, in some cases, oral antibiotics due to secondary bacterial infections.
Dr. Leachon advised the public to continue practicing basic health measures, such as wearing face masks, using alcohol or hand sanitizers, and avoiding crowded places. He also urged those whose symptoms persist beyond seven days to seek medical attention.
The DOH reported that 63 cases of super flu have been recorded nationwide so far, with cases possibly continuing until February.
Leachon also clarified that recovery from super flu does not guarantee immunity, as multiple variants of the virus are circulating.
He further encouraged vaccination, especially among individuals with weakened immune systems, hypertension, those undergoing dialysis, and people with other comorbidities.
