Nagasaki issues season's first influenza advisory as weekly cases rise to 642
In short
Nagasaki Prefecture issued an influenza epidemic advisory on October 8 after 642 patients were reported by 50 sentinel medical institutions in the week to October 4, up from 367 the week before. The average of 12.84 patients per institution exceeded the advisory threshold of 10. It is the first advisory of the season, and outlets reported that children make up the bulk of patients and that school grade and class closures have been reported.
Read the full story 1 min read
Nagasaki Prefecture on October 8 issued an influenza epidemic advisory for the whole prefecture after the number of patients reported in the most recent week exceeded the advisory threshold. According to the prefecture, 642 influenza patients were reported by 50 sentinel medical institutions in the week to October 4 (week 40), an increase of 275 from 367 the previous week. The average number of patients per institution was 12.84, above the advisory threshold of 10.0. [ 1 , 2 ]
Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported that the advisory is the prefecture's first of the season and came about a month and a half earlier than last season. Nippon TV News put the timing at six weeks earlier than last year. The reporting week ran from September 28 to October 4, and the patient count was 1.75 times that of the previous week, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported, adding that the threshold of 10 patients per institution is the national advisory standard. [ 2 , 3 ]
By health centre area, levels were high mainly in the remote islands and urban areas, TBS NEWS DIG reported. Nippon TV News reported that among the highest district figures were Goto City with 41.67 patients per institution and Nagasaki City with 22.55. [ 1 , 3 ]
Children account for most of the patients. Nippon TV News reported that patients aged 0 to 14 make up nearly 70 percent of the total, according to the prefecture. TBS NEWS DIG reported that children under 10 account for about 50 percent and that the spread is centred on children. Between September 28 and October 2, seven grade closures and six class closures at elementary and junior high schools were reported in the prefecture, Nippon TV News reported. [ 1 , 3 ]
The prefecture is calling on residents to take thorough infection control measures, including wearing masks, washing hands and ventilating rooms. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The prefecture reported that the advisory came about a month and a half, or six weeks, earlier than last season, and that patients aged 0 to 14 account for nearly 70 percent of cases. Schools have already reported grade and class closures, and the prefecture is urging masks, handwashing and ventilation.
Key facts
- Nagasaki Prefecture issued an influenza epidemic advisory on October 8. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- 642 patients were reported by 50 sentinel medical institutions in the week September 28 to October 4, up from 367 the previous week. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The average of 12.84 patients per institution exceeded the advisory threshold of 10. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- It is the prefecture's first influenza advisory of the season. [ 2 , 3 ]
- By district, Goto City recorded 41.67 patients per institution and Nagasaki City 22.55. [ 3 ]
- Patients aged 0 to 14 account for nearly 70 percent of cases, according to the prefecture. [ 3 ]
- Seven grade closures and six class closures at elementary and junior high schools were reported between September 28 and October 2. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nagasaki Prefecture issued an influenza epidemic advisory on October 8 after the average number of patients per sentinel institution reached 12.84, above the threshold of 10. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- 642 patients were reported from 50 sentinel medical institutions in the week to October 4. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The advisory is the first of the season in the prefecture. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The prefecture is calling for infection control measures such as wearing masks and handwashing. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- How much earlier than last season the advisory came. Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported about a month and a half earlier than last season, while Nippon TV News reported six weeks earlier than last year; the figures are close but not identical.
- The exact share of children among patients. TBS NEWS DIG's headline said children under 10 were about 50 percent of patients, while Nippon TV News reported that patients aged 0 to 14 account for nearly 70 percent; the two figures use different age ranges.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- End of the reporting week (September 28 to October 4) in which 642 influenza patients were reported by 50 sentinel institutions. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Nagasaki Prefecture issues an influenza epidemic advisory for the prefecture. [ 1 , 2 ]
- TBS NEWS DIG reports the advisory and the rise in patient numbers. [ 1 ]
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reports the advisory as the first of the season. [ 2 ]
- Nippon TV News reports district figures, the age breakdown and school closures. [ 3 ]