Influenza season enters nationwide at second fastest time on record

Influenza season has entered the nation at the second fastest time on record. With the start of the new school year, there will be more opportunities for students to come into contact with each other, so experts are keeping a close eye on future trends. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is calling for basic infection control measures such as hand washing and cough etiquette.

High-dose vaccine to be postponed this fall Regular influenza vaccination for the elderly - Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare

According to the National Institutes of Health and Emergency Management (JIHS), the number of patients reported by sentinel medical institutions across the country has been on the rise since late June. From August 17th to 23rd, there were 1.11 patients per medical institution, exceeding the ``1 person'' threshold for an epidemic.

Since the current investigation based on the Infectious Disease Control Law began in 1999, this is the second earliest after mid-August 2009 (excluding 2023, when it was prevalent throughout the year). Last year it was late September.

Although there are regions overseas where the virus is prevalent, the type of virus that prevails differs in each region. Currently, the main virus in Japan is H1N1, which caused a global pandemic in 2009 and has since become established as a seasonal influenza.

However, it is not known why it became popular so quickly. Multiple factors are thought to be involved, including the influx of the virus from overseas, increased movement and contact between people, and the large number of people who do not have sufficient immunity to H1N1. Regarding future trends, Taro Kamigaki, head of the Infectious Disease Surveillance Research Department at JIHS, says, ``When the new semester begins, people's movements change.We need to look at data from September onwards.''

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, this season's vaccines are expected to begin being delivered to medical institutions as early as the second week of September. In addition to the injectable version, there is also a nasal spray version aimed at people between the ages of 2 and 18. Regular vaccinations are available to people aged 65 and over, but some local governments also subsidize the cost of vaccinations for children.