Health authorities in Japan have made a formal announcement of a national epidemic of influenza, breaking the news following a substantial jump in flu cases and hospitalizations exceeding 6,000 hospitalizations and disruption in a number of schools and daycare centers.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), there were just about 6,013 influenza cases across under 3,000 clinics and hospitals. There were just under 2 patients per institution reported, which surpasses the national epidemic level of 1.0.
There had been an influenza outbreak at the end of September, which was nearly five weeks before the Japanese flu season normally begins, and it is only the second time that the country confirmed a nationwide epidemic this early in the past twenty years.
Most Affected Regions
In some prefectures, the infection rate is greatly elevated. Okinawa has the highest per-institution average at 12.18, followed by Tokyo and Kagoshima, where clusters of infection are rapidly increasing.
The effects of the outbreak are especially visible in educational institutions. In the past two weeks, close to 135 schools, kindergartens, and child care establishments have been temporarily closed in various prefectures, which is three times the number from last year at this time period. For example, a primary school in Yamagata delayed in-person classes for 22 out of 36 students due to flu-like symptoms.
Hospitals and Experts Raising Alarm
Hospitals throughout Japan are experiencing congested outpatient clinics – all while seeing increased needs for pediatrics and geriatrics, as well as for antiviral drugs. Experts continue to warn that certain strains of influenza are evolving, potentially further complicating containment of disease spread.
Health experts are again encouraging people to vaccinate early, if they have not done so already; mask indoors in crowded spaces; and practice good hand hygiene. MHLW also advised anyone with flu-like symptoms to avoid school or work and to attend early medical care to limit spread.
Recommendations for Travelers
The authorities advise travellers and visitors to Japan to be mindful of the situation during the epidemic:
• Consider being vaccinated prior to travel, as the flu vaccine significantly reduces the risk of severe illness.
• Consider wearing a mask when in close or crowded settings and practice regular handwashing.
• Do not travel when feeling unwell, and call the local health service via telephone before attending clinics or hospitals.
• Ensure that travel insurance covers medical care while in Japan if treatment is urgently needed.
The MHLW will continue to closely monitor trends of influenza infection, and will provide updated advice should the situation deteriorate. For now, all experts agree that vaccination and hand hygiene will be Japan’s best protection against the early and rapidly spreading flu wave.
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