Health · Public Health & Disease · 1 hr ago
Japan faces an unusually early influenza outbreak
Influenza has been spreading in Japan since August, earlier than usual and raising concerns that the outbreak could last longer.
In early October, the average number of cases reported by each medical institution rose above the alert threshold of 10.
Children under 15 and people aged 70 or older make up about 80% of hospitalized patients, and children can rarely develop severe encephalopathy.
A different type-A strain is circulating now than the one that was most common last season, and experts say the outbreak could continue into winter as other strains emerge.
International travel and prolonged heat and rainy weather have been cited as possible factors behind the early spread.
People aged 65 or older, and some people aged 60 or older with health conditions, can get routine influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations with public subsidies; the two vaccines can be given at the same time.
Vaccination and basic precautions can help protect vulnerable people and reduce pressure on health services as colder weather increases the risk of infection.
Influenza has spread in Japan since August, with the outbreak beginning unusually early this year.
In early October, the average number of cases reported per medical institution exceeded the alert threshold of 10.
Class and school closures have followed, and children under 15 and people aged 70 or older account for about 80% of hospitalized patients.
The circulating type-A strain differs from the strain that predominated last season, and experts say the outbreak could continue into winter.
The Mainichi editorial urges vaccination and basic precautions such as hand-washing, mask-wearing and ventilation.
- Who
- People in Japan are affected, with children under 15 and people aged 70 or older making up about 80% of hospitalized patients.
- What
- Japan is experiencing an unusually early influenza outbreak.
- When
- The outbreak began in August; cases exceeded the alert threshold in early October.
- Where
- Japan.
- Why
- Possible contributing factors include infections brought from abroad and prolonged extreme heat and rainy weather, which may have led people to spend more time indoors with windows shut.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Influenza began spreading in Japan.
The average number of cases reported per medical institution exceeded the alert threshold of 10.
- Outbreak began
- August
- Alert threshold exceeded
- Early October
- Alert threshold
- 10 cases per medical institution on average
- Share of hospitalized patients
- About 80% are children under 15 or people aged 70 or older
- Circulating strain
- Type-A strain different from the one that predominated last season
What people are saying
Influenza can no longer be described simply as a winter infectious disease.
Continued vigilance is needed.
We should thoroughly implement preventive measures in our daily lives.