Health experts are closely monitoring a number of infectious diseases in 2026, including the so-called “super flu.”
The Department of Health (DOH) said there have been 63 cases of super flu from January 1 to December 27, 2025.
But doctors said the public should not panic as long as people take basic precautions, such as getting vaccinated against influenza, especially older adults.
Specialists said other diseases may pose a more serious threat this year, particularly measles, dengue and leptospirosis.
Speaking to ABS-CBN News, infectious diseases specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante said hospitals are currently tracking three health threats.
“In our data here in San Lazaro Hospital, tatlo ‘yan ang mino-monitor namin ngayon. Leptospirosis, dengue and the influenza-like illness manifesting with severe acute respiratory infection that are admitted to the hospital. Ito ‘yung medyo palagi kasi namin mino-monitor, especially the dengue and the respiratory infections,” he said.
Leptospirosis and dengue usually increase during the rainy season and after flooding.
It spreads through water contaminated by rat urine, while dengue is transmitted by mosquitoes.
Both can be reduced by avoiding floodwaters and keeping communities clean.
But measles is different and is now a growing concern.
The DOH has yet to release its data, but Solante said the rise in measles cases is being driven by children who are not vaccinated.
Unlike dengue and leptospirosis, measles is airborne.
This means it spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes or even breathes in close spaces. This makes it extremely contagious.
The Department of Health (DOH) warns that one child with measles can infect 16 to 18 others, especially those who are not immunized.
This is why the government is rolling out a measles-rubella supplemental immunization campaign, starting in Mindanao next week.
It will then expand to the Visayas and Luzon in June.
Measles is not just a childhood rash. It can be deadly.
According to DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, measles can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis, a serious inflammation of the brain.
That is why measles vaccination is part of the country’s routine immunization program, starting as early as nine months old.
What vaccines children should get
Domingo explains, parents can have their children inoculated for in health centers and BUCAS (Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service) centers.
For babies aged zero to 12 months, vaccines include protection against:
* tuberculosis (BCG)
* hepatitis B
* polio
* pneumonia
* measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
* and other serious infections
For children aged nine to 14 years, vaccines include:
* measles-rubella
* tetanus-diphtheria
* human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (for girls)
“Cancer po ‘yung napipigilan kapag nagpabakuna. Kaya kapag nakarinig kayo ng inanunsyo ng health center na available na ‘yung anti-human papillomavirus or anti-cervical cancer vaccine, nakasulit na sulit po ‘yan. Sa private, hindi buhababa ng mga 6,000 to 7,000 per dose ‘yan. Sinasagot po ng gobyerno,” Domingo said.
Parents only need to bring an ID or birth certificate for their child during the first visit. After that, the vaccination card issued by the health center will be used for follow-up doses.
So the question is — should people be afraid of vaccines? Health experts say no.
Adults, especially the elderly, can also get their annual flu shots and pneumococcal vaccines, while pregnant women are allowed to receive tetanus-diphtheria vaccines.
Vaccines have been proven to prevent diseases that most people today no longer experience, precisely because of immunization.
While doctors continue to be on the lookout for new flu variants and seasonal illnesses, they stress that vaccination remains the most powerful and proven protection against deadly and preventable diseases. (ABS-CBN News)