As Japan heads into mid-winter weather, the number of influenza cases is rising. The National Institute of Infectious Diseases says that, this year, Japan is approaching a peak in the spread of influenza about three weeks earlier than usual. It is imperative that not only individuals but also businesses and other organizations take precautions to prevent the spread of the seasonal disease.
According to the institute, some 5,000 designated medical institutions across the country reported an estimated 1.39 million influenza cases in the week from Dec. 29 to Jan. 4, and the number jumped to 2.06 million in the week from Jan. 5 to 11. Accordingly the average number of influenza patients at each medical institution increased from 21.36 to 33.28.
When the average number tops 30 in each area, the local public health center is supposed to issue a warning of a large-scale influenza outbreak. At least one such area exists in most of Japan's prefectures, including Hokkaido and Tokyo. A total of an estimated 4.18 million people have suffered from influenza across the nation so far this flu season.