Health Flu cases in Japan reach top warning level

thomas · 22 Oct 2023

The number of flu cases per regularly monitored medical institution in Japan in the week through Sunday rose 1.08 from the previous week to 11.07, topping the warning level of 10, the health ministry has said. The ministry collects flu case reports from about 5,000 such medical institutions nationwide. The warning level indicates the possibility of a significant outbreak within four weeks.

By prefecture, Okinawa had the highest per-institution count, at 25.37, followed by Chiba with 20.86, Saitama with 19.69 and Ehime with 18.45. The per-institution number exceeded 10 in 17 of the country's 47 prefectures. A total of 1,772 kindergartens, elementary, junior high and high schools nationwide were partially or fully closed due to the flu. The flu usually spreads in winter, but it has been rampant since the first nationwide epidemic season in three years began at the end of last year. "Several factors are believed to have played a role in the current spread of the flu, including a decline in immunity as (the flu) had not spread for a long time, and an increase in travel between Japan and overseas," a health ministry official said. "We want people to continue efforts to prevent infection as they do for COVID-19," the official added.

Flu cases top warning level in Japan as major outbreak feared

Cases at a number of medical institutions monitored nationwide topped 10 per location, indicating the possibility of a major outbreak within four weeks.

www.japantimes.co.jp

thomas · 24 Oct 2023

Japan is observing a severe shortage of generic flu medicine amid the spread of influenza and Covid-19. The country has shut down ten generic drugmakers since 2021 due to quality issues, said the ministry. The Covid pandemic and the spread of influenza further led to a supply shortage.

I noticed that the number of people wearing masks has increased recently.

The supply of cough medications has gone down by 15 per cent, said the ministry. This comes as the country increased the warning level for flu and closed or partially closed a total of 1,772 schools. The spread of flu in the season is also a cause of concern because it usually spreads in winter. "Several factors are believed to have played a role in the current spread of the flu, including a decline in immunity as (the flu) had not spread for a long time, and an increase in travel between Japan and overseas," a health ministry official was quoted as saying by the outlet. The official advised residents to continue efforts to prevent infection as they did for Covid.

Japan faces flu medicine ‘shortage’ as case surge leads to closure of several schools

Flu cases per medical institution in Japan exceeds warning level

www.independent.co.uk

johnnyG · 24 Oct 2023

Got ours yesterday, the usual ¥1400 per shot. Would've been sooner but we were busy last week.

When I was working, school would always have a couple dates in early november that you could get a flu shot right downstairs, very convenient.

mdchachi · 24 Oct 2023

johnnyG said:
Got ours yesterday, the usual ¥1400 per shot. Would've been sooner but we were busy last week.

When I was working, school would always have a couple dates in early november that you could get a flu shot right downstairs, very convenient.

Got my shot last week.

Grandpa Frank · 24 Oct 2023

Got mine last Wednesday. Next month covid booster.

nice gaijin · 25 Oct 2023

After the World Yo-Yo Contest in August, a fair number of staff members and volunteers came down with the flu. They tested negative for covid, but positive for influenza A. I managed to squeak by with a mild cold, no fever.

I also heard a few of the contestants came down with covid, but I don't know who or how many.

mdchachi · 26 Oct 2023

nice gaijin said:
After the World Yo-Yo Contest in August, a fair number of staff members and volunteers came down with the flu. They tested negative for covid, but positive for influenza A. I managed to squeak by with a mild cold, no fever.

I also heard a few of the contestants came down with covid, but I don't know who or how many.

I'm in Tokyo now and I'd say 50% or less people are wearing masks even on the trains.

thomas · 26 Oct 2023

I took the train yesterday and estimated that 80% of all passengers were masked. Sadly those with a bad cough were unmasked.

Health Flu cases in Japan reach top warning level

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Flu cases top warning level in Japan as major outbreak feared

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Japan faces flu medicine ‘shortage’ as case surge leads to closure of several schools

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