Flu Spreads in Quake-Hit Kumamoto as Japan Sees Early Outbreak
Japan is experiencing an early influenza outbreak, with cases rising in Kumamoto Prefecture, an area still recovering from a major earthquake. Health experts are urging residents, particularly those in evacuation centers, to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Why it matters
The convergence of a natural disaster recovery and an early flu season poses a significant public health challenge for vulnerable populations in Japan.
Kumamoto, Oct. 4 (Jiji Press)--As Japan saw the second-earliest start of a nationwide influenza outbreak, the flu is also spreading in Kumamoto Prefecture, which was hit by a powerful earthquake in July.
With more than 1,300 people still staying at evacuation centers two months after the July 28 temblor that registered the maximum 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, an expert has stressed the importance of getting vaccinated early.
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