The flu is spreading at a fast pace. Meticulous care must be taken to prevent infection.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has revealed that the number of patients who received treatment for the flu during the week of Dec. 23-29 came to 23 per medical institution. In four prefectures, including Yamaguchi and Akita, the number topped the alarm level of 30.
The start of the current flu season was announced on Nov. 15. This marked the earliest date for such an announcement since 1999, excluding 2009 when a new strain of influenza prevailed. The number of flu patients across the nation is estimated to be about 3.15 million so far this season.
With the incidence of flu anticipated to peak in late January or later, there is a possibility that the number of patients will increase in the days to come. It is necessary to stay alert.
This season's flu is characterized by the fact that the patients include many children. Nearly half of the patients are 14 or younger, and those 9 or younger account for 30% of the total.
One factor behind this is that almost all virus types are strains of H1N1, which became widespread as a new type of influenza in 2009. Those infected a decade ago have acquired immunity, but many children born after that apparently do not have immunity and thus fall victim.
Symptoms in many cases include fevers of 38 C or higher, headaches and generalized aches. If their condition worsens, in some cases patients suffer convulsions, an altered state of consciousness and display extraordinary behavior. If children complain about such symptoms, it is imperative to take them to a doctor as soon as possible. Many patients will recover in a few days if they take medicine and rest.
Adults should not drop their guard, either. Even if one's temperature is at a normal level in the morning, there are cases in which one runs a fever during the daytime. In an accident that happened last month, a bus driven by someone suffering from the flu crashed into a limousine taxi, killing the latter's driver.
The drop in attentiveness caused by a high fever is liable to cause accidents or operational mistakes. Efforts must be made to create an environment in which company employees diagnosed with influenza are able to take days off and focus on treatment.
Caution should also be exercised by the elderly, whose physical strength has declined. Flu patients 70 or older have a high rate of hospitalization and there are more than a few cases in which they fall into a critical condition. Households and welfare facilities that have senior citizens need to keep a closer watch on measures to prevent them from being infected with flu viruses.
Basic measures to prevent infection are the strict enforcement of handwashing and getting adequate sleep and nutrition. It takes about two weeks before the effects of vaccination are felt, but vaccination controls the symptoms when a person is infected with a flu virus. It is necessary especially for students preparing for entrance examinations and their family members.
In many cases, infectious diseases including the flu, measles and rubella are brought into Japan from overseas.
Japan, China and South Korea confirmed last month that they will strengthen their cooperation in preventing the spread of communicable diseases. It is indispensable for them to closely exchange information and bolster border control measures, including monitoring people at airports suspected to have infectious diseases.
-- This article appeared in the print version of The Yomiuri Shimbun on Jan. 11, 2020.
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