Swine Flu Causes 1,000 Learning Institutions To Closed In Japan

The latest WHO report released on Saturday 16, indicate that the global figure of swine flu (H1N1) infections has risen by nearly 1,000 over a 24 hour period,
bringing the global number of infections to 8,451 and 72 dead.

Meanwhile, Japan confirmed 78 flu infection cases on Sunday 17. The newly infected are mostly students and their family members in Osaka and Hyogo.

A World Health Organization expert said community-level transmission may have begun in Japan, which could lead the WHO to raise its new flu pandemic alert to the highest level of 6 from the current 5.

Railway, supermarket and convenience store employees in Hyogo, Osaka and Kyoto started wearing masks in line with instructions from their companies. In the affected areas, medical masks were sold out at a number of shops.

On Saturday, the government shifted its new flu action program from ‘‘a period of overseas outbreak’’ to ‘‘an early period of domestic outbreak’’ and called for companies and schools in the areas concerned to allow individuals to avoid commuting during rush hours.

Over 1,000 schools and kindergartens in Osaka and Hyogo will close down to contain the spread.

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