January 3, 2026 | 12:38 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - "Super flu" is increasingly making headlines in Indonesia. The Ministry of Health has confirmed the detection of influenza A subclade K in the country, with at least 62 cases reported across eight provinces.
Health expert Tjandra Yoga Aditama highlights seven important facts about this strain, officially referred to as influenza virus A H3N2 subclade K.
1. Super Flu Is Not a New Thing
Contrary to some public perceptions, super flu is not a new disease. It is caused by the influenza A H3N2 subclade K virus, which has existed for some time.
According to Tjandra Yoga, an increase in H3N2 cases was observed in Japan, Canada, and the United States in October 2025, and similar cases likely occurred in Malaysia and Thailand. Historically, a major global H3N2 outbreak occurred in 1968, although at that time it was not subclade K.
The Virus Has Mutated
The current H3N2 subclade K virus has reportedly undergone seven mutations. The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted that this variant spreads rapidly and has become dominant in multiple countries above the equator since November 2025.
Global Flu Trends
As of December 30, 2025, the United States reported high or very high influenza activity in 32 states, up from 17 the previous week. Hospitalizations jumped to 19,053 from 9,944, and approximately 3,100 people have died from influenza this season, including five children in one week.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates H3N2 is the primary virus, and subclade K could be contributing to these trends.
How to Protect Yourself
Tjandra Yoga emphasizes three precautions to reduce the risk of infection. First, individuals experiencing flu symptoms should take care of themselves, wear masks to prevent spreading the virus, and rest if needed.
Second, they should seek medical advice if symptoms worsen and report clusters of illness in homes, schools, or workplaces. Third, vaccination is recommended, particularly for the elderly or people with severe comorbidities.
Government Monitoring
Following the detection of 62 cases, Tjandra Yoga urges the government to provide regular public updates on super flu’s spread across Indonesia. Special monitoring is particularly important in disaster-affected areas, such as parts of Sumatra, to prevent further transmission.
Current Severity
At present, super flu appears to cause more severe flu waves than in previous years, but it has not triggered a pandemic. Tjandra Yoga stresses that with proper monitoring and public health measures, the cases remain manageable.
Pandemic Risk Factors
Three factors could determine whether super flu develops into a pandemic. The first is whether the virus undergoes significant new mutations, making H3N2 substantially different, similar to H1N1 in 2009.
The second is whether transmission and severity increase sharply. The third is whether the virus spreads widely across borders.
The Ministry of Health considers influenza A H3N2 subclade K under control in Indonesia. Prima Yosephine, Director of Infectious Diseases, confirmed that while influenza A(H3) is currently the dominant variant, national case trends have decreased over the past two months.
Dede Leni Mardianti contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: How Fast Is Influenza A(H3N2) Subclade K Spreading in Indonesia?
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