[REVISION HISTORY]

Rising influenza and respiratory trends in Southeast Asia

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2026-10-24 23:36 UTC → 2026-10-28 05:04 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Global infectious disease trends have shown rising influenza cases, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere and across Asia. Concurrently, COVID-19 cases have increased in Hong Kong, Singapore, and India due to the PQ.16.1.1 Omicron subvariant. By mid-October 2026, influenza activity intensified across Southeast Asia. In Singapore, activity reached its highest level in 32 months. Data from the Communicable Diseases Agency indicated that 44% of respiratory samples tested positive between late September and early October, a sharp rise from 20% in August. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung noted an increase in patients seeking treatment at polyclinics and emergency departments, a trend potentially exacerbated by recent hazy weather. In Indonesia, the situation remains significant. Surveillance data from late September showed high positivity rates driven by the A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype and the Influenza A(H3N2) subclade K—colloquially referred to as ‘super flu’—which has been detected across 20 provinces. ~~By late September, the positivity rate for Influenza-Like Illness reached approximately 58.59%.~~ While the Ministry of Health stated that activity in primary care remains at a ‘medium ~~range’ and follows seasonal patterns,~~ range’, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin noted that the government is strengthening surveillance and preparedness. The H3N2 subclade K has been linked to increased emergency room visits, particularly in West Java. Pediatric cases have seen a significant surge. The Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) noted that toddlers and young children are the most affected demographic, accounting for approximately 42 percent of cases. In Banjarbaru, health officials reported that during the 41st week of 2026, acute respiratory infections (ISPA) and acute diarrhea reached their highest levels for the year. In South Tangerang, officials recorded 6,147 ISPA cases, noting that environmental factors like illegal waste burning may be exacerbating respiratory risks.

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