January 8, 2026 | 09:01 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin urges public calm following the emergence of the "Super flu" cases in Indonesia. Despite the intense-sounding name, he said, the super flu is not a new virus like COVID-19.
Instead, it is simply a new variant of influenza type A with the code H3N2, which has been known medically for decades. "So, unlike Covid-19, where the human immune system was not familiar with the virus at the time, super flu has been around for a long while," said Budi in Yogyakarta, on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Budi assured that the people's immune system has memorized this type of influenza virus, so its fatality rate is far lower than the COVID-19 pandemic.
He then likened the mutation of this virus to COVID-19 variants, from Alpha to Omicron. The super flu, he said, is a subclade K of H3N2, with symptoms resembling common flu.
Therefore, to fight this flu, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy body condition through an adequate diet, quality rest, and regular exercise.
He also reminded that simple health protocols such as washing hands and wearing masks when near coughing individuals remain the most effective prevention methods.
"Don't spread panic since we have encountered this flu for decades, there have been no reports of deaths because this is indeed a common flu," said Budi.
Head of the Yogyakarta Health Office, Gregorius Anung Trihadi, recounted that they had detected one case of super flu infection in a patient over five years old in September 2025. "The patient has now fully recovered and returned home," he said.
Considering the incubation period of influenza is only around 14 days, Anung believes that the transmission chain from the single case in September should have been broken by now. Because since then, no similar surge in cases has been found in Yogyakarta.
Anung added that based on weekly surveillance data, reports of influenza cases in Yogyakarta have actually shown a decreasing trend since September.
Read: Super Flu Virus Is Weak Variant, Says Health Minister
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Bandung Hospital Records First Super Flu-Related Death
28 menit lalu
Hasan Sadikin Hospital (RSHS) in Bandung confirms ten patients tested positive for the Influenza A subclade K "super flu" virus.
Super Flu Virus Is Weak Variant, Says Health Minister
1 hari lalu
Indonesia recorded 62 cases of super flu by late 2025, with all patients now fully recovered.
Indonesia Health Expert Warns Toddlers, Elderly Most Vulnerable to 'Super Flu'
3 hari lalu
Most flu cases in Indonesia and worldwide are mild, but high-risk groups may need antiviral treatment if symptoms worsen, health expert said.
Super Flu Alert: How It Spreads, Symptoms, and Prevention
3 hari lalu
An article about the attention surrounding the super flu due to the influenza A H3N2 subclade K. Read about its global spread, symptoms, vulnerable groups, and prevention measures.
"Super Flu" in Indonesia: 7 Key Facts About the H3N2 Subclade K Virus
5 hari lalu
Health expert Tjandra Yoga Aditama highlights seven important facts about super flu, officially referred to as influenza virus A H3N2 subclade K.
H3N2 'Super Flu' Under Control in Indonesia, Says Health Ministry
6 hari lalu
Indonesia's Ministry of Health confirms 62 cases of influenza A (H3N2) subclade K.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5316291/original/015050100_1755231247-5.jpg)
