Important Announcement from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government regarding Influenza A(H1N1)

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) recently announced its policy vis-àvis the A (H1N1) Influenza, as follows:

“1. Based on the characteristics of Influenza A (H1N1), the TMG has formulated the following policy for early detection of the outbreak of influenza in Tokyo (policy may be changed according to the outbreak situation) and has submitted a proposal to the central government concerning the establishment of a medical care system that is tailored to the new influenza virus in preparation for a domestic epidemic.

Tokyo Hatsunetsu Centers (fever consultation centers)

(1) Consultation at the Tokyo Hatsunetsu Centers

Individuals who should consult with the Tokyo Hatsunetsu Centers established in the TMG and all public health centers in Tokyo now  include those who were in regions in Japan (refer to ※1 below) in addition to those who were in countries where the flu had spread. Please be attentive to the regions announced by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Those who have been staying or traveling in those regions within the past seven days or so and have influenza-like symptoms (refer to ※2 below) are particularly requested to consult with one of the Tokyo Hatsunetsu Centers.

(2) Introduction of hospitals

When the Tokyo Hatsunetsu Center decides that an individual needs to consult with a physician, he/she will be introduced to one of about 50 medical institutions for infectious disease consultation.

(3) Samples

If tests to confirm infection become necessary after consultation at the abovementioned institutions, the public health center will take samples and forward this for testing at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health. Until the test results are verified, the patient will be requested to stay at home, not a medical institution.

(4) Hospitalization

When tests have confirmed an individual to be infected with Influenza A(H1N1), he/she will be required to be hospitalized based on laws concerning the prevention of infectious diseases and medical care for patients with infectious diseases. In order to prevent the spread of the virus, the individual will be hospitalized in a medical institution designated for infectious diseases regardless of the severity of his/her symptoms.

Surveillance system

Surveillance will be bolstered through the continuous collection of information from individual schools and hospitals concerning the outbreak of patients with fevers and respiratory symptoms, and through the conduction of PCR testing when necessary.

Change to the monitoring of health conditions by the public health centers

The public health centers will now monitor individuals for one time only after their entry to Japan, and following this, the individuals are expected to inform the centers of any changes in health conditions.

※1
Mexico, United States (mainland), Canada
Hyogo: Kobe (Higashinada-ku, Nada-ku, Chuo-ku, Hyogo-ku, Nagata-ku, Kitaku)
Ashiya
Osaka: Toyonaka, Ikeda, Suita, Takatsuki, Ibaraki, Yao, Minoh,
Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun

※2
Symptoms such as fever of 38℃ or higher, cough, or sore throat.”

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