Japan is experiencing severe nationwide seasonal flu outbreak. Japanese health authorities are urging people to take thorough precautions against the flu as they say a seasonal flu epidemic has begun across the country.
The Ministry of Health said on Wednesday that some 5,000 health facilities across the country reported 6,103 cases of the flu in the seven-day period to December 25. This is 3511 more than the previous week.
When the average per institution exceeds 1.0, it indicates the beginning of an epidemic. The last figure in the country was 1.24.
The average exceeded the threshold in 17 of Japan’s 47 prefectures. Toyama topped the list at 4.21, followed by Okinawa at 2.91. Kanagawa had 2.79 and Tokyo 2.30.
It is the first time since 2020, when the first coronavirus outbreak occurred in Japan, that the flu has started to spread nationwide.
Health officials are asking people to consider getting a flu shot. They also urge people to continue to take thorough precautions such as wearing masks appropriately, disinfecting and ventilating rooms.
In addition, officials are urging people to prepare testing kits, anti-fever medication and pain relievers in case they feel unwell.