May 19, 2009. Government Warning Issued for Japan
| SOURCE: | Air Security International |
The U.S. Embassy in Japan issued the following Warden Message on 18 May 2009: "This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of H1N1 Influenza A in Japan. Please disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in your organizations or to other Americans you know."
"On Monday, May 18 the Japanese government confirmed that domestic transmission of H1N1 influenza is occurring in Japan, largely concentrated in Osaka and Hyogo prefectures among high school age children. Media are reporting the total number of confirmed H1N1 cases in Japan as between 104 and 132, with numbers expected to grow over time."
"In reaction to the spread of influenza, local prefectural governments have closed schools in Osaka and Hyogo prefectures, and individual businesses have advised employees suspected of exposure to stay at home. Please consult with local school officials concerning individual school closures and employers concerning work attendance policy."
"The Government of Japan is asking anyone with flu symptoms to telephone special call centers set up by the prefectures (local governments). The call center will then direct the individual to go to a fever clinic inside a nearby hospital, where a preliminary test will be done for influenza type A. If the patient tests positive, a virus sample will be tested for H1N1."
"Americans who feel ill and who need information on how to contact local health authorities should review the American Citizen Services section of the U.S. Embassy website at http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-swine-flu.html. Links to many of the prefectures are located on this webpage."
"Some of the prefectural websites have information on their local call centers in English. However, most of these websites are in Japanese only. Even when information is presented in English, callers should be prepared to make the call to local health authorities in Japanese, or request the assistance of bilingual neighbors and friends. Information on emergency translation services is available in Tokyo by consulting the following website: http://www.himawari.metro.tokyo.jp/qq/qq13enmnlt.asp."
"PLEASE NOTE: If you are feeling unwell or are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, please do not come to the U.S. Embassy or our Consulates. To protect the health of our employees and fellow American citizens, if you do come to our offices and you are exhibiting signs that you are ill, you may be asked to leave. Instead, please contact us by email or phone (see contact information at the end of this message) and we will be happy to assist you. Thank you for your cooperation."
"The State Department believes it is important for all citizens to maintain readiness for all possibilities in case of an emergency. Because of potential disruptions in shopping patterns, the U.S. Embassy is advising its employees to consider stockpiling two-weeks of emergency supplies such as food, water, infant formula and medicines, as well as to verify the availability of cash or credit cards. U.S. citizens traveling or resident in Japan should consider doing the same."
"All U.S. citizens in Japan are advised to monitor the Embassy website at: http://japan.usembassy.gov/ or sites for the nearest Consulate for additional warden notices and other information."
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