Flu cases have been surging across Japan, with many areas in the Tokyo area issuing flu alerts and more than 1,000 schools nationwide suspending classes.
According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, designated medical institutions across Japan reported 24,276 flu cases in the week of Oct 20-26, approximately double the number of the previous week, and the tenth consecutive week of increases in cases numbers.
The first week this year with more than 20,000 recorded cases came about a month earlier than last year, the ministry noted.
Flu has been spreading in many other parts of Japan, with case numbers in several areas of the Kansai region increasing two to three times compared to the previous week.
As a result, 1,015 schools across the country have suspended classes, nearly triple the number from the prior week.
"If the flu spreads further, the situation will be even worse, so there's no other way but to keep schools closed. We can only wait until the situation improves before resuming classes," said a resident.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference that efforts will be made to ensure the supply of medical resources, vaccines, and influenza medications in order to prevent further spread of the flu.
"I saw media reporting that there's a flu outbreak, so I got vaccinated at the end of October," said another resident.
The flu outbreak has exerted economic impact on Japan, driving up healthcare costs and disrupting productivity as workforce absences mount.
Japan grapples with surging flu outbreak
