0 0
Read Time:1 Minute, 26 Second

The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in Japan issued an alert as the average number of influenza patients per medical institution reached concerning levels, escalating at the fastest pace in a decade. Reports from approximately 5,000 designated medical facilities across the country revealed a significant surge in flu cases, totaling 166,690 in the week ending December 10.

The average number of flu patients per facility stood at 33.72, surpassing the warning threshold of 30 set by health authorities. According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the estimated nationwide count of flu patients during this period amounted to approximately 1,118,000.

This surge in influenza cases coincides with a consistent rise in coronavirus infections for the third consecutive week. Health experts have raised concerns, cautioning against the potential spread of both viruses during the year-end and New Year’s social gatherings in the country.

Typically, flu outbreaks occur during winter and late spring. However, this year witnessed an atypical increase in cases starting as early as August, deviating from the usual seasonal pattern.

The health ministry previously flagged the rising flu cases in October when reported instances exceeded the advisory level of 10 individuals per medical institution for that month.

Nobuhiko Okabe, head of the Kawasaki City Institute for Public Health, emphasized the importance of individual preventive measures, highlighting that strategies for preventing influenza mirror those employed against COVID-19. Recommendations include vaccination, mask-wearing, and avoiding crowded settings to mitigate the risk of infection.

The concurrent increase in both influenza and COVID-19 cases poses a significant health concern, prompting health authorities to emphasize the adoption of preventive measures to curb the spread of these viruses within the community.

Happy
Happy
0 %
Sad
Sad
0 %
Excited
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
Angry
0 %
Surprise
Surprise
0 %