Tokyo, Jan 11 (NationPress) The count of influenza patients documented at designated healthcare facilities throughout Japan during the last week of December surged to the highest mark since record-keeping commenced in 1999, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
In the week ending December 29, a staggering 317,812 flu patients were reported across approximately 5,000 institutions, yielding an average of 64.39 cases per facility, which exceeded the warning threshold of 30, as noted by the ministry.
This record figure represented a significant rise from 42.66 the previous week, marking the 10th consecutive week of increases.
All 47 prefectures in the country reported an uptick compared to the previous week, with 43 of them surpassing the warning level, according to ministry reports.
"The increase in movement during the holiday season may have contributed to this rise," commented a ministry official.
In the southwestern region of Oita Prefecture, the highest case count was recorded, averaging 104.84 cases per clinic, followed by other prefectures in the Kyushu region. Major urban areas were also affected, with Osaka averaging 67.53 cases per facility and Tokyo averaging 56.52.
As the numbers continue to climb, ministry officials have urged the public to wear masks and practice thorough hand hygiene to mitigate infection risks, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection impacting the respiratory tract. It commonly causes high fever, body aches, coughing, and other symptoms. It stands as one of the most severe and prevalent viral illnesses during the winter months. Most children experience flu symptoms for less than a week, but some may develop more severe illnesses requiring hospitalization. The flu can also lead to serious complications, such as lung infections (pneumonia) or even death.
This viral infection is among the most prevalent, with around 20 to 40 million individuals in the U.S. contracting the flu each season.
While flu and cold symptoms can overlap—such as runny noses and coughs—the symptoms of the flu are typically more severe and can lead to significant health complications. It's important to note that different viruses are responsible for causing colds and the flu.
