Situation update of identified cases and responses in Japan-11

May 23, 2009

As of May 23rd, Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported the additional 27 laboratory confirmed cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) since the last reporting on May 22nd. The total number of cases is 321 in Japan. The prefectures with number of the confirmed cases are: Hyogo (167), Kanagawa (1), Kyoto (1), Osaka (141), Saitama (2), Shiga (1), Tokyo (3) and Chiba (5; All of these cases were quarantined at Narita airport). No fatal case has been reported.

Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to clarify the transmission route and epidemiological links between the cases. Public health interventions that were already implemented included school closure and advice for cancelling or postponing of large public gatherings.