Swine flu spreads in Japan
Japan shuttered more than 1 000 schools and kindergartens on Monday as it confirmed that H1N1 flu cases had reached 129 amid warnings the virus was proving difficult to contain. The number of (A)H1N1 cases has risen rapidly in the urban areas of Kobe and Osaka since the first confirmed domestic infection, a 17-year-old high school student who had not been abroad, was reported on Saturday.
But authorities said the real number of infections could already be in the hundreds with the virus spreading fast in the densely populated island nation.
Experts now believe the virus spread quickly between the two areas after two high schools from Kobe and Osaka met for a volleyball tournament, with some players and coaches feeling feverish after the games.
"Considering the situation, it is possible that the infections spread through volleyball games," Hyogo governor Ido said late on Sunday.
Residents of Kobe have rushed to hospitals and emergency fever clinics, while pharmacies have quickly run out of face masks.
Several companies have taken steps to protect their workers.
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group said an employee in Kobe had been infected and ordered 70 non-managerial employees at one branch to stay at home on Monday.
Toshizo Ido, the governor of Hyogo prefecture, which includes Kobe city, told reporters: "We have to contain this in the region, but it is becoming very difficult."
Prime Minister Taro Aso meanwhile urged the public to stay calm, stressing that most people recover quickly from the (A)H1N1 virus.
"Caution is needed because there are cases of patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes whose condition is serious," Aso said, following a crisis meeting with cabinet ministers.
"At the moment, however, many people are recovering smoothly after receiving appropriate treatment early."
Aso said the government had no immediate plans to restrict people's movements and activities.
"At the moment, the government is not considering making a blanket request for people to refrain from going out or holding meetings, or for companies to scale back on businesses. I call on people to act calmly," he said.
The ages of those confirmed to have the virus range from five to 60, officials said.
No cases have yet been reported in greater Tokyo, which with almost 36 million people is the world's most populous urban area.
Japan's first confirmed cases of H1N1 flu involved four people who tested positive after they flew in from North America earlier this month. They were immediately quarantined along with about 50 fellow passengers.
- AFP
