The Japanese government issued a warning on Friday, revealing that the average number of influenza patients at thousands of designated medical institutions nationwide had reached alarming levels at the fastest rate in a decade. Approximately 5,000 institutions reported 166,690 patients in the week ending on December 10, with an average of 33.72 people per facility, surpassing the warning level of 30. This data was released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
During the same period, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases estimated that the total number of influenza patients nationwide was around 1,118,000. This significant increase in cases is attributed to reduced influenza immunity, as previous years had seen a decline in cases due to anti-infection measures put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health experts have noted that the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions earlier this year has led to reduced immunity against influenza, causing the virus to spread about a month earlier than usual. Furthermore, coronavirus cases have been on the rise for the third consecutive week, prompting authorities to urge caution as fears grow about the potential further spread of both viruses during year-end and New Year’s social gatherings in Japan.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, 6,382 educational facilities nationwide have implemented school-wide and class-specific closures in the week ending on Sunday. While influenza outbreaks typically occur in winter and at the end of spring, this year has seen an unusual increase in cases since August, raising concerns among health officials.
In October, the ministry issued a cautionary statement about the flu as cases surpassed the advisory level for that month, which was 10 people per institution. Nobuhiko Okabe, the head of the Kawasaki City Institute for Public Health, stressed the importance of individual measures for preventing infection, emphasizing the importance of getting vaccinated, wearing masks, and avoiding crowded places, much like the preventive measures for COVID-19.
In conclusion, the rapid rise in influenza cases in Japan has prompted concerns among health professionals and authorities. As the country navigates the challenges posed by the simultaneous increase in both influenza and coronavirus cases, individuals are reminded to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from infection.
© KYODO
