ID :
77133
Thu, 08/27/2009 - 08:18
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/77133
The shortlink copeid
794 new-flu group infections logged in 1 week, 4th death in Japan+
TOKYO, Aug. 26 Kyodo - A total of 794 cases of new-influenza group infections were confirmed at educational, medical, welfare and other facilities in Japan in the week from Aug. 17 to 23, up some 20 percent from the previous week, the health ministry said Wednesday.
The ministry also reported the fourth new flu-related death in Japan as a woman
in Nagoya in her 70s died Tuesday of pneumonia after being strongly suspected
of being infected.
The latest data brought the total number of group infections to 2,522 as the
weekly figure has been rising for four weeks in a row since the Health, Labor
and Welfare Ministry began collecting data on group infections late last month.
According to the ministry, 105 people -- 58 males and 47 females -- were
hospitalized due to infections of the new strain of H1N1 influenza during the
week of Aug. 19 to 25 and seven of them have developed acute brain dysfunction
or other severe symptoms that required an artificial respirator.
Of the 105, 56 were aged between 5 and 19, while 20 percent of them were
younger than 5.
Also, 43 had underlying illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, kidney malfunction,
and were susceptible to developing more severe symptoms, while there were no
pregnant women in the group.
Okinawa led other prefectures in the number of group infection cases with 56,
followed by Chiba with 40, Hyogo with 36, Kyoto with 34 and Tokyo, Osaka and
Kumamoto with 31 cases each.
The ministry is expecting more patients to be added to the latest week's report
on hospitalized patients later as 79 were added to the list of the previous
week after the ministry's announcement, bringing the total number of
hospitalized patients to 165 during the week of Aug. 12 to 18.
Meanwhile, a total of 77 kindergartens, primary schools, and junior and senior
high schools in eight prefectures were closed entirely or partially due to
influenza outbreaks between Aug. 16 and 22, according to the ministry.
Most of the schools are believed to have been hit by the new flu, the ministry
said, warning that infections at schools could increase once the new trimesters
begin after summer breaks come to an end.
A total of 72 schools in six prefectures, including Okinawa, were closed
entirely, while five schools in three prefectures including Shizuoka canceled
some classes, according to the ministry.
The number of institutions, including the schools, which have entirely or
partially shut down their operations nationwide totaled 302 since late July,
with Okinawa leading the rest of the prefectures again with 63 facilities.
The ministry receives weekly reports year-round from public health institutions
nationwide on the spread of influenza in schools.
Also between Aug. 19 and 26, 12 people were found to be infected at Naha
Airport in Okinawa Prefecture, Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture
and Nagoya port in Aichi Prefecture through quarantine inspections.
==Kyodo
The ministry also reported the fourth new flu-related death in Japan as a woman
in Nagoya in her 70s died Tuesday of pneumonia after being strongly suspected
of being infected.
The latest data brought the total number of group infections to 2,522 as the
weekly figure has been rising for four weeks in a row since the Health, Labor
and Welfare Ministry began collecting data on group infections late last month.
According to the ministry, 105 people -- 58 males and 47 females -- were
hospitalized due to infections of the new strain of H1N1 influenza during the
week of Aug. 19 to 25 and seven of them have developed acute brain dysfunction
or other severe symptoms that required an artificial respirator.
Of the 105, 56 were aged between 5 and 19, while 20 percent of them were
younger than 5.
Also, 43 had underlying illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, kidney malfunction,
and were susceptible to developing more severe symptoms, while there were no
pregnant women in the group.
Okinawa led other prefectures in the number of group infection cases with 56,
followed by Chiba with 40, Hyogo with 36, Kyoto with 34 and Tokyo, Osaka and
Kumamoto with 31 cases each.
The ministry is expecting more patients to be added to the latest week's report
on hospitalized patients later as 79 were added to the list of the previous
week after the ministry's announcement, bringing the total number of
hospitalized patients to 165 during the week of Aug. 12 to 18.
Meanwhile, a total of 77 kindergartens, primary schools, and junior and senior
high schools in eight prefectures were closed entirely or partially due to
influenza outbreaks between Aug. 16 and 22, according to the ministry.
Most of the schools are believed to have been hit by the new flu, the ministry
said, warning that infections at schools could increase once the new trimesters
begin after summer breaks come to an end.
A total of 72 schools in six prefectures, including Okinawa, were closed
entirely, while five schools in three prefectures including Shizuoka canceled
some classes, according to the ministry.
The number of institutions, including the schools, which have entirely or
partially shut down their operations nationwide totaled 302 since late July,
with Okinawa leading the rest of the prefectures again with 63 facilities.
The ministry receives weekly reports year-round from public health institutions
nationwide on the spread of influenza in schools.
Also between Aug. 19 and 26, 12 people were found to be infected at Naha
Airport in Okinawa Prefecture, Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture
and Nagoya port in Aichi Prefecture through quarantine inspections.
==Kyodo
