181,130 influenza-like illnesses logged last year

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January 17, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 181,131 cases of influenza-like illnesses were recorded nationwide last year, according to the Department of Health.

DOH data showed that the figure, recorded as of Dec. 27, indicated an increase of one percent compared to the 179,948 infections reported during the same period in 2024.

Health officials said the cases showed an upward trend, with 4,315 infections reported from Nov. 30 to Dec. 13, which was 17 percent higher than the 3,692 cases reported in the previous two weeks from Nov. 16 to 29.

The data also showed that there were 71 fatalities from influenza-like illnesses last year.

The figure is 57 percent lower than the 165 deaths reported in 2024.

Bicol, Mimaropa and Eastern Visayas recorded the highest percentage increase in the cases across all regions.

More than half of the patients are men with 91,789 or 51 percent.

Meanwhile, the most affected age group are children aged five to 14 years with 49,133 or 27 percent.

Common symptoms of influenza-like illnesses include fever, cough, sore throat, colds, body aches and headaches.

Health experts advised Filipinos to have themselves vaccinated with anti-flu vaccines as a protection against influenza-like illnesses.