Concern growing over spread of influenza in Japan here

Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the situation in Japan is not serious and people don't have to worry too much about influenza spreading here. / Courtesy of Gettyimagesbank

By Kim Jae-heun

Concern is growing here over an influenza outbreak in Japan that has been spreading at an alarming rate a week ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, during which a large number of Koreans are expected to visit the neighboring country.

According to Japanese media outlets, the number of flu patients was estimated at 5.41 million as of Sunday following an increase of 2.13 million last week.

During last year's Lunar New Year holiday, nearly 940,000 people traveled overseas, and over 24 percent of them visited Japan, according to the country's largest tour agency Hana Tour. A similar number of Koreans is expected to travel to various regions in Japan this year.

As a result, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reviewing whether to designate Japan as a travel-alert area if the outbreak worsens.

Japan issues an alert and recognizes an outbreak as an epidemic when the average number of patients per hospital nationwide reaches 30.

The average number of flu patients is currently 52.65 per institution in Tokyo and 46.09 in Osaka, the two most popular tourist cities in Japan.

Nearly 6,280 nurseries and public schools have been closed due to the spread of influenza among children.

However, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said Sunday that the situation was not serious and people didn't have to worry too much about influenza spreading here.

“The trend in Japan is not at a particularly dangerous level. Japan saw a flu outbreak a little later than we did, and it's only the number of infected persons that has reached a peak,” a KCDC official said.

“Usually five to 10 percent of the country's population get flu and Japan happens to have a larger number of patients because their population is bigger. What we see happening in Japan is a common occurrence.”

However, the KCDC did urge people to get vaccinated as the country is also suffering from an influenza outbreak. In addition Korea is also witnessing a growing number of measles patients of late.

Senior citizens aged over 65 can get vaccinated for free at any health care center in the country regardless of their address.

Children from six months to one year old can visit designated medical institutions or health centers nearby their home for vaccination until April 30.

The KCDC recommends washing hands frequently in running water for more than 30 seconds with soap, and to cover the mouth with a napkin or sleeve when coughing.

“We recommend people to visit a hospital if they have a temperature over 38 degrees and are suffering from a fever and coughs or other suspected flu symptoms such as a sore throat,” the KCDC said.