DOH confirms rise in flu cases in Japan

THE Department of Health has raised concern over the apparent rising number of influenza cases in Japan.

No less than the Philippine Embassy issued an earlier advisory concerning the increase.

“Inisyu ito ng DFA pero sinusuportahan ng DOH. ‘Yung kanilang paalala ay base sa datos. Wala namang outbreak na sinasabi sa Japan pero nakita ng ating epidemiology bureau…tumataas ang bilang ng mala-trangkasong sakit, influenza like illnesses sa Japan,” DOH spokesman Asec. Albert Domingo said.

According to Domingo, the rising influenza cases in Japan started in November 2024 but stressed that it started to go down in January.

“Ang sabi ng Japan, ito talaga ‘yung trend pagdating ng winter. Ito talaga ‘yung panahon na tumataas ang bilang na ito. Ang tawag natin dyan increase in cases, pwedeng tawaging surge pero hindi ibig sabihin outbreak na nakakatakot,” he said. 

Nevertheless, the DOH urged Filipinos traveling to Japan to take proper precautions.

Among these include the constant washing of their hands, wearing face masks, covering their mouths when coughing.

They advised Filipinos to stay in their hotels and get their strength up if they exhibit cough, colds and general body weakness.