Monday, May 18, 2009

Schools closed in Japan, flu cases reach 129

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 09:52:00 05/18/2009

Filed Under: Health, Swine Flu

KOBE—(UPDATE) Japan shuttered more than 1,000 schools and kindergartens Monday as it confirmed that swine 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.-snip-

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 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."-snip-

"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. -snip-

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