DOH: Get flu shots, wear face masks amid rising cases of flu-like illness

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Tuesday urged the public to get flu shots and wear face masks amid the rising cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) this rainy season.

At a Palace briefing, Herbosa underscored the need for self-protection during this time, urging those with respiratory illnesses like coughs, colds, and sore throat, to stay at home rather than infect others.

He also said that the Department of Health’s (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau is already monitoring the increasing ILI infections, pointing out that such a phenomenon usually happens during the rainy season and colder months.

“So, reminder to everyone…get the flu shot. We have flu shots at the Department of Health. If you are high-risk, especially elderly and senior citizens, magpa-flu shot kayo [get the flu shot],” Herbosa said.

“Things we learned during COVID i-practice lang natin [let's practice them]. Wear a mask also—masking again if you have cough, colds, or respiratory illness,” he added.

Last week, the DOH reported that influenza-like illness cases so far in 2023 were 45% more than those registered over the same period in 2022.

According to the DOH, 151,375 ILI cases have been registered as of October 13. Over the same period in 2022, the country had 104,613. —Giselle Ombay/ VAL, GMA Integrated News