Talk of a so called Super Flu has been spreading quickly across Indonesia, raising questions and concern among the public. The term sounds alarming. But health authorities say the reality is far less frightening than many fear.
By the end of December 2025, Indonesia’s Ministry of Health recorded 62 confirmed cases of influenza A (H3N2) subclade K, often referred to as super flu. These super flu cases were identified across eight provinces in Indonesia. The highest numbers were found in East Java, South Kalimantan, and West Java.
Despite the headlines, officials have consistently asked the public to stay calm. Awareness matters. Panic does not.
“My message to the public, first of all, is that we need to be cautious and aware of this, but there is no need to panic,” said Indonesia’s Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, during a briefing at Graha BNPB in Jakarta on Wednesday (7/1/2026).
Budi emphasized that super flu is essentially the same as seasonal influenza. It is not comparable to Covid-19, especially not the deadly Delta variant that once caused widespread fatalities.
“Because this is the same as common flu, not like the earlier COVID cases where the Delta variant was deadly,” the Minister of Health said.
He went on to clarify that influenza A (H3N2) subclade K is not a new virus. It belongs to the influenza A family and has existed for years. This clearly distinguishes it from Covid-19, which was a newly identified virus when it first emerged.
“Covid-19 is the name of the virus. But it has variants like Delta, Omicron, Beta, Alpha, and so on. So this is actually the H3N2 virus. Its name, the popular name, is Influenza A,” Budi explained.
According to him, cases of this flu strain tend to rise during winter seasons, particularly in developed countries. The virus spreads quickly, but the fatality rate remains very low. That pattern, he noted, is nothing new.
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“Yes, its transmission is fast, but the death rate is very low, and this usually happens during winter seasons. In developed countries, there is always an increase,” he said.
Budi also reassured the public that patients infected with this strain can be treated using standard flu medication. There is no need for special treatment protocols like those required during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the same time, the Ministry of Health continues to closely monitor the situation. Head of the Bureau of Communication and Public Services, Aji Rokomyanmas, explained how surveillance efforts are being carried out nationwide.
The ministry has collected around 800 influenza samples from individuals who tested positive in various regions. These samples came from laboratories, hospitals, and quarantine facilities. All samples were sent to the Biobiosafety Laboratory in Jakarta for further analysis.
About 40 percent of the samples were tested in detail. The results showed the presence of influenza A PDM 09. Further analysis also identified influenza A H3N2. From those H3N2 cases, a portion matched the 62 confirmed cases of subclade K. The remaining samples were identified as influenza B.
“Influenza A H3N2 was also found. From that H3N2, a certain percentage of those, the 62 cases mentioned earlier, were subclade K. The rest were influenza B. So the current situation is that whole genome sequencing cannot be carried out every day or at any time. Therefore, we collect several hundred samples first, then we take some of them for whole genome sequencing,” Aji explained.
Although officials stress that this situation is not comparable to Covid-19, monitoring has not been relaxed. Daily surveillance continues, with regional health reports collected regularly. As a precaution, thermal scanners have also been reactivated.
These scanners are now operating again at key entry and exit points, particularly international airports. The goal is early detection of travelers who may be unwell, helping authorities respond quickly while keeping public concern under control.
For now, the government’s message remains steady. Stay alert. Follow basic health precautions. And most importantly, do not panic.
