Measles quickly spreading in Japan

June 5, 2019

Tokyo--The number of measles patients has been quickly growing in Japan since the beginning of this year, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

The reported patient count came to 566 in Jan. 1-May 26, more than double the preliminary figure of 282 for the entire 2018, the institute said Tuesday.

Among Japan's 47 prefectures, a total of 142 infected patients were reported in Osaka, followed by 96 in Tokyo, 54 in Mie, 50 in Kanagawa and 37 in Aichi.

Only in seven days from May 20, 26 patients were newly reported across the country, including five in Kanagawa, four each in Saitama, Fukuoka and Saga prefectures, and three in Miyagi Prefecture.

As the disease is highly infectious, the institute is calling for thorough measures to prevent hospital-acquired infection. Jiji Press