Not Super Flu, Rather H1N1 is More Prevalent

The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has clarified issues regarding the ‘super flu’ narrative that has recently emerged amidst an increase in influenza cases. The Ministry emphasised that the term is not an official nomenclature and that the virus referred to as ‘super flu’ is not the dominant influenza subtype circulating in Indonesia.

The Acting Director General of Disease Control at the Ministry of Health, Andi Saguni, stated that ‘super flu’ is a lay term generally referring to Influenza A H3N2. However, based on surveillance results, the influenza most widely circulating in Indonesia currently is Influenza A H1N1 pdm09.

“Super flu is a lay term used for Influenza A H3N2, and it is not dominant in Indonesia,” Andi said during a press conference on Monday (28/09/2026).

He explained that the influenza circulating in Indonesia consists of types A and B. Influenza is an RNA virus that undergoes mutations easily. Nevertheless, most influenza patients can recover without requiring hospitalisation.

According to Andi, the current increase in influenza activity is part of a seasonal pattern. Based on monitoring in Indonesia over the last 10 years, influenza cases tend to increase from September until the end of the year.

In the 38th week of 2026, the positivity rate for influenza based on Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) surveillance reached 56 per cent. However, the Ministry of Health stated that this figure does not yet indicate high or extraordinary influenza activity.

“Regarding SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection), the level of influenza activity remains in the low area, still low. Meanwhile, for ILI, the activity level is moderate,” he added.

SARI surveillance is conducted in hospitals, whereas ILI surveillance is conducted in community health centres (Puskesmas). The Ministry of Health noted that SARI activity in 2026 remains below the average monitoring levels of the last 10 years.