The National Institute of Infectious Diseases announced on Tuesday that 167 people have been infected with measles so far this year -- a higher number than usual. Many of the cases have occurred in Osaka and Mie prefectures.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has issued a warning through local governments to medical institutions nationwide to check for measles when examining patients with a fever or rash.
According to the institute, the number of cases through this part of the year has increased at the fastest rate since 2009. By prefecture, Mie had the most with 49, followed by Osaka with 47. Tokyo had 11 cases, and Kanagawa six.
In Mie Prefecture, cases of measles first emerged in early January but no new cases have been reported since Feb. 1. In the city of Osaka, 19 employees and customers at a department store's Valentine's Day event were infected, while 10 people, including doctors, were infected at the Saiseikai Ibaraki Hospital in Ibaraki, Osaka Prefecture. A woman in her 40s with measles was also found to have made a round trip by Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Tokyo stations on Feb. 8 and 10.
Cold-like symptoms such as fever, coughing and sneezing begin about 10 days after infection with the measles virus. These symptoms are followed by a fever of 39 C or higher and a rash, both of which last about four days.
The disease is highly contagious. When effluent from a sneeze or cough dries, minute particles containing the virus waft into the air, spreading the disease to people who inhale them.
The disease cannot be prevented by washing your hands or wearing a surgical mask. Most people who lack immunity to measles develop symptoms, and there is no cure through medicine. Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure.
To prevent the spread of infection, people with symptoms similar to those of measles are advised to contact a medical institution before going there in person. Pregnant women, who advised not to have vaccinations, should avoid going out as much as possible during a measles outbreak.
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