Flu outbreak in Japan: Over 210,000 cases in one week, HK tourists affected

Japan is grappling with a major flu outbreak as the number of patients continues to surge for the ninth consecutive week. According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 211,049 flu cases were reported during the week of Dec. 16 to Dec. 26, based on data from 5,000 designated medical institutions. This averages 42.66 patients per institution, well above the warning threshold of 30 and more than double the previous week's figure.

The outbreak has forced approximately 2,800 schools and kindergartens to partially or fully suspend classes to prevent further spread of the virus.

In Hong Kong, private doctors have reported a noticeable increase in flu and COVID-19 cases, especially among patients returning from overseas trips. Some HK tourists who recently visited Japan have shared their experiences on social media, warning others of the high risk of getting sick.

Fears of a larger outbreak loom as Japan heads into a nine-day holiday period from Dec. 28 to Jan. 5, with increased travel and gatherings. A professor at Showa University School of Medicine, warned that this could accelerate the spread of the flu. He urged the public to adopt early-pandemic-level precautions, such as avoiding crowded places, frequent handwashing, and consistent mask-wearing.

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