Listen to the article
Philippine Education Department Dismisses Viral “Super Flu” Suspension Claims
The Department of Education (DepEd) has officially denied viral social media claims that classes and work would be suspended nationwide from January 28 to 31 due to an alleged “super flu” outbreak. In a statement released on January 27, the department labeled these widely-shared posts as “fake news” and urged the public to rely only on official government channels for accurate information.
The false claims gained significant traction on Facebook, with the most popular post garnering nearly 1,000 shares and over 160 reactions. Multiple pages posing as legitimate news outlets, including “News Update Ph,” “Walang Pasok Advisory,” and “Philippines Weather Advisory,” spread the misinformation using similar language and imagery.
These misleading posts claimed that local government units had announced suspensions across “selected areas” due to rising “super flu” cases. The fabricated announcements included links supposedly detailing affected regions, but these links actually redirected users to unrelated shopping websites.
Some posts featured manipulated images designed to appear as official DepEd announcements regarding the suspension of face-to-face classes. These posts contained inconsistent information, with some mentioning January 28-30 while others specified January 28-31, 2026 – a date more than a year in the future.
Health officials have confirmed that while a variant of influenza A (subclade K), colloquially referred to as “super flu,” has been detected in approximately 30 countries worldwide in 2025, there is no cause for alarm in the Philippines. This variant has been particularly prevalent in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada, according to the World Health Organization.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported 63 cases of this influenza variant in the Philippines between January 1 and December 27 last year. Despite this increase, health officials emphasized that most patients have fully recovered, and no deaths have been attributed to the variant.
“As we very well know, flu is a self-limiting illness, unless you have a medical condition, or you are elderly,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa stated. He continued to recommend flu vaccinations as a preventative measure and cautioned Filipinos traveling to temperate regions like North America and the United Kingdom to be aware of the virus’s presence there.
The WHO’s risk assessment indicates that the disease is unlikely to develop into a more severe condition. Medical experts have consistently advised that while vigilance is appropriate, panic is unwarranted.
This incident marks the latest in a series of false claims about disease outbreaks that have circulated on Philippine social media. Fact-checking organization Rappler has previously debunked several similar hoaxes.
Social media users are encouraged to verify information through official government channels before sharing content related to public health announcements or class suspensions. The DepEd maintains updated information on its official website and verified social media accounts, which remain the most reliable sources for school-related announcements.
The spread of these fabricated claims highlights the ongoing challenge of misinformation on social media platforms, particularly regarding public health and education matters that directly impact daily life for millions of Filipinos.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
9 Comments
Manipulated images and fake news posts are becoming all too common these days. I’m glad the DepEd was able to quickly address and shut down these misleading claims about a ‘super flu’ outbreak.
Glad to see the Department of Education promptly debunking these false claims about a ‘super flu’ outbreak. Relying on official government channels is always the best approach for accurate information.
Fabricating official government announcements is a serious issue. I’m glad the authorities were quick to clarify and shut down these false claims about school and work suspensions.
Reliable information from official sources is so important, especially during potential public health crises. Glad to see the DepEd taking swift action to address these false claims.
Exactly. Spreading unverified information, especially about health emergencies, can have serious consequences. Fact-checking and transparency from authorities is critical.
Misleading posts using fake news tactics to spread misinformation are concerning. Fact-checking and relying on reputable sources is crucial, especially when it comes to public health issues.
Absolutely. Spreading unverified claims, especially about health emergencies, can create unnecessary panic. Good on DepEd for swiftly addressing this.
It’s concerning to see how misinformation can spread so rapidly on social media. Kudos to the DepEd for their swift response in debunking these false claims about school and work suspensions.
It’s worrying to see how quickly misinformation can spread on social media these days. Kudos to the DepEd for their prompt response to debunk these bogus ‘super flu’ reports.