Flu spreads in quake-hit Kumamoto as Japan sees early outbreak

Kumamoto – As Japan grapples with the earliest onset of a nationwide influenza outbreak, the virus is also taking hold in Kumamoto Prefecture, still reeling from a devastating earthquake in July. More than 1,300 individuals remain in evacuation centers two months after the July 28 temblor, registering a seismic intensity of 7 on Japan's scale.

Experts emphasize the urgency of early vaccination. The average number of influenza patients per monitored medical facility nationwide surpassed 1.0 in the week ending Aug. 23, marking the second earliest start of a flu outbreak since 1999, excluding 2023's year-round flu season. In the week concluding Sept. 27, the average patient count stood at 7.17.

Okinawa Prefecture exceeded the warning level of 30, while four prefectures, including Saitama, recorded figures surpassing the alert level of 10. Kumamoto witnessed the beginning of a flu outbreak in the week through Sept. 6, with the average patient count reaching 3.86 for the week ending Sept. 27. As of Friday, around 1,360 people were residing in evacuation centers across eight municipalities in the prefecture, including the city of Yatsushiro.

Koichi Izumikawa, a professor at Nagasaki University Hospital specializing in infectious disease control, highlights the close proximity of individuals in evacuation centers as a prime factor for disease transmission. He stresses the importance of preventive measures, such as promptly reporting symptoms, wearing masks during coughs or runny noses, and basic hygiene practices like handwashing and ventilating rooms.

While vaccinations play a crucial role in preventing the flu, their efficacy is delayed, making early inoculation essential. The Kumamoto Prefectural Government initiated a vaccination campaign for evacuation center residents on Wednesday, offering free vaccination vouchers to evacuees aged 6 months and above, effective Oct. 13.