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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No lockdown; rise in flu-like cases part of seasonal trend—DOH

No lockdown; rise in flu-like cases part of seasonal trend—DOH

Published Oct 17, 2025 07:30 pm
Health officials reassure the public amid reports of increasing flu-like cases, clarifying that no lockdown is planned as the rise in influenza-like illnesses is typical during the rainy season. (Photo from Pixabay)
Health officials reassure the public amid reports of increasing flu-like cases, clarifying that no lockdown is planned as the rise in influenza-like illnesses is typical during the rainy season. (Photo from Pixabay)
Amid heightened public concern over rising flu-like infections, the Department of Health (DOH) clarified on Friday, Oct. 17, that there is no lockdown being planned, describing the situation as part of the usual influenza-like illness (ILI) surge during the rainy months.
“There is no planned lockdown. That is fake news. What we have is the seasonal respiratory illnesses,” DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said during a press conference at the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
Herbosa dismissed rumors circulating online about a supposed government-imposed lockdown due to a “flu outbreak,” saying that no such outbreak exists.
“So it’s not a flu outbreak, we do not have a flu outbreak. It’s our ILI season. What is ILI? Influenza-Like Illnesses,” he explained.
He noted that ILI includes a range of common respiratory infections that typically surge during the wet season.
“Marami siyang sakit, and these are sakit like ubo, sipon, trangkaso, and all other similar to that — that spreads really fast during the rainy season (It includes illnesses such as cough, colds, flu, and others similar to these that spread quickly during the rainy season),” he said.
Herbosa underscored that the health department is closely monitoring the situation.
“So mino-monitor ng DOH ’yan. We know many people are getting sick (The DOH is monitoring that. We know many people are getting sick),” he added.
Earlier, the DOH reported that ILI cases in the country are eight percent lower this year compared to the same period in 2024.
Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, the spokesperson of the DOH, said a total of 121,716 ILI cases were logged nationwide from Jan. 1 to Sept. 27, which is lower than the 132,538 cases registered during the same period in 2024.

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DOH flu flu-like illnesses ILI DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa no lockdown flu Philippines
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