Manila logs 2,692 flu-like cases this year amid 8% national rise

MANILA, Philippines — Manila recorded nine new cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) on Monday, Oct. 26, bringing the city’s total to 2,692 since the start of the year, amid a reported increase in flu-like illnesses nationwide. 

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Health Secretary Edwin Mercado said the DOH recorded 11,137 ILI cases in its latest reporting period, an 8% increase from the 10,278 cases recorded from Sept. 3 to 16.

Mercado said the increase coincided with cooler weather and gatherings that can spread respiratory infections.

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READ: Manila dengue cases top 4,000 after 31 new cases

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“Cases tend to rise during colder weather as people gather in close quarters. This is also the season when many celebrations take place,” he said. 

Despite the recent national increase, Mercado said the cumulative number of ILI cases from January through the latest reporting period was still below the number reported over the comparable period in 2025.

The DOH also plans to roll out influenza vaccines, prioritizing vulnerable sectors, Mercado said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines ILI for surveillance purposes as an acute respiratory infection involving a measured fever of at least 38 degrees Celsius and a cough, with symptoms beginning within the previous 10 days.

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The classification does not necessarily mean a patient has confirmed influenza. The WHO explains that influenza can be difficult to distinguish from other respiratory infections based on symptoms alone and that its surveillance definitions are designed to help monitor disease trends over time, rather than identify every infection.

Alongside the nine new ILI cases, the Manila Health Department (MHD) recorded seven new cases of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and eight new dengue cases on Monday.

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Manila’s daily W.I.L.D. diseases report covers waterborne diseases, influenza-like illnesses, leptospirosis and dengue. It also tracks SARI and confirmed COVID-19 cases.

From Jan. 1 to Oct. 26, the city recorded 4,274 dengue cases, 1,655 leptospirosis cases and 564 SARI cases. It also logged 112 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 88 typhoid fever cases and four cholera cases.

No new cases of leptospirosis, confirmed COVID-19, typhoid fever or cholera were reported on Monday, according to the MHD.

The department urged residents experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention promptly.

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The figures were extracted from the Electronic Disease Case Surveillance System (EDCS-IS) as of 7 a.m. on Oct. 26, 2026. /mr