Number of Influenza Patients Doubles in One Week
Tokyo Issues Influenza Advisory
In Japan, where influenza (the flu) began spreading a month earlier than usual this year, the number of patients doubled in just one week. As the outbreak intensified in the Kanto region, including Tokyo, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government issued an "influenza advisory" and urged the public to follow preventive measures.
According to Kyodo News and other sources on October 31, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that there were 24,276 new confirmed cases of influenza during the one-week period from October 20 to 26. The number of patients per medical institution was 6.29, a 1.93-fold increase compared to the previous week (3.26). The number of new confirmed cases has continued to rise for ten consecutive weeks.
By region, Okinawa Prefecture had the highest number of patients per medical institution at 19.40. In addition, major areas in the Kanto region such as Tokyo, Saitama, Kanagawa, and Chiba also exceeded the "advisory" threshold of 10 patients per medical institution.
Since last month, measures such as class or grade closures and temporary school shutdowns have been implemented at 1,015 kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide to prevent the spread of influenza.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government issued a recent influenza advisory after the number of patients reported in the past week surged to 10.37 per medical institution, doubling from 5.59 the previous week. In Tokyo, 239 cases of class or school closures were reported.
The influenza advisory in Tokyo was issued two months earlier than last year. It is the first time in two years that an advisory has been issued before November. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government urged residents to follow infection prevention guidelines such as hand washing, ventilation, and wearing masks.
Previously, on October 3, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had already announced that the influenza outbreak had begun. While influenza typically starts spreading in November, this year the outbreak began a month earlier. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated at a press conference that "influenza is spreading nationwide" and called for efforts to practice preventive measures such as hand washing after going out and proper cough etiquette. He added, "We will make every effort to ensure stable medical care, as well as the supply of vaccines and treatments, in preparation for the spread of influenza."
Meanwhile, in South Korea, the influenza outbreak also began earlier than usual. On October 17, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issued an influenza advisory, stating that the outbreak is centered among children and adolescents.
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