The Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday, 7 January, that reports of a "super flu" circulating in other countries should not be a cause for alarm for Filipinos.

In a televised briefing, DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa advised Filipinos traveling abroad to take extra precautions.

Herbosa also advised the public to get vaccinated, particularly those belonging to high-risk groups, such as the elderly, cancer patients, and those with underlying medical conditions.

"Not alarming, but if you are traveling, get the northern hemisphere shot," he said, explaining that the northern hemisphere shot is different from the southern hemisphere shot administered in the Philippines.

The Health official also explained that flu outbreaks in the United States and the United Kingdom are worsened by winter conditions, in contrast to the Philippines, where flu season coincides with the rainy months.

Aside from getting flu vaccines, Herbosa also recommended public health precautions such as covering one's mouth when coughing and isolating to avoid contagion.

The DOH has so far logged 17 cases of super flu, with detections dating back to July and August last year. All patients have since recovered.