Flu outbreak affects 101; 3 die in Tokyo hospital

Sunday 18th January, 02:30 AM JST

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umbrella at 11:29 AM JST - 18th January

Yes wearing a mask is totally useless as the cold virus particles go straight through them. The japanese wear them when sick just to demonstrate to all and sundry how dedicated they are to their beloved companies. It seems they don't care about infecting anyone else. I wonder how this attitude of deep love for the company will change now that workers are being discarded like the daily trash. Must be such a shock to their psyche as the company as been the center of their existences.
tanyurine at 12:16 PM JST - 18th January

The wearing of a mask is not 'totally' useless. My brother-in-law doctor says gauze face masks can block viruses for about 5 minutes, after which they penetrate and pass into the air. After that point, he says, they are only useful if the sick person is expectorating (useful, I think, when you consider the number of Japanese who cough in crowded places without covering their mouths).
Molenir at 12:21 PM JST - 18th January

An absolute friggin crime. I hate people who go to work when they are sick, it is so absolutely annoying. In this case it is worse as an infected worked went in sick (and even though unknowingly of course) caused the death of peple. I have no problem with people who ring in sick, better that than prolonging the problem.

I've been sick lots of time and had to go to work anyway. I remember one time being so sick I could hardly get any work done, just sat there shivering, but I couldn't leave either. Couldn't get anyone to cover for me. As much as I hate it, sometimes, you just don't have a choice. Not if you want to keep your job, or if you're struggling with bills, to support family etc.
shawnth at 12:22 PM JST - 18th January

Oh god please... its not only the Japanese that tend to go to work sick when they shouldn't be. Think its very common in any high pressure working environment. Not saying its right but find it funny that people would think this is specific to JP culture.
shouganaika at 12:48 PM JST - 18th January

aged 77, 85 and 100

no need to panic here
presto345 at 12:57 PM JST - 18th January

wearing a mask is totally useless as the cold virus particles go straight through them. The japanese wear them when sick just to demonstrate to all and sundry how dedicated they are to their beloved companies

The only effective masks are surgical masks. People wear masks not just to demonstrate their allegiance, but also as a warning: keep distance! In addition, wearing a mask warms the inhaled air which speeds up healing!
telecasterplayer at 01:52 PM JST - 18th January

The mask can't prevent influenza cooties from getting out into the air, however it can stop all that sneezing and sputtering from getting on the phones and keyboards. So at least it is an anti-grossness aid.

But from some of the preceding comments, some labor legislation to protect the workers would also have protected the patients: Companies must provide sick days.
smithinjapan at 03:24 PM JST - 18th January

While it's true that people who go to work can spread sickness, in the case of a cold if you're going to get it from them you've probably already got it. People who are sick -- including influenza -- can take up to three days before the symptoms show, and they are infectious previous to being symptomatic.

That's not excusing said people; it IS of course easier to spread when your coughing, wiping your news and then touching the same door handles, etc.

What I find amusing about this whole thing is that most of the sick and those who died all had flu vaccinations, which is proof of what I've been saying for years -- the shots do NOTHING! What's more, the over-innoculation that occurs in Japan guarantees more and more people get sick every year. I almost NEVER get sick, and the reason is because I never bother with any injections, or tried-and-true Japanese prevention methods such as gargling every time you enter a building. Wash my hands? Of course! But not to the point where I am obsessive compulsive.

The human body is an amazing thing, and we live in a world teeming with bacteria and viruses. We survive said things because our bodies have immunity via the antibodies created from exposure. I'm not suggesting you all go out and catch a cold or the flu, but I'm saying that the whole flu vaccination thing is an exercise in futility and serves only to strengthen current viruses against said vaccines (they fight them in the same way our body naturally fights viruses).

DO keep your hands clean, but beyond that I simply recommend a balanced diet and a good sleep.

All that being said, how much do you want to bet that the flu warning will cause whomever hasn't gotten flu shots yet to rush out and get them?
billyshears at 04:00 PM JST - 18th January

This from medicalconsumers.org: What is not commonly known is this: Researchers divide influenza into two types, and the yearly flu vaccine is more likely to be effective against the type that afflicts fewer than 15% of all who appear to have influenza-this is the one caused by influenza A or B. Researchers refer to all other forms of influenza as influenza-like illness . Both types produce exactly the same symptoms-headache, fever, muscle aches, cough and runny nose. It is, of course, too early to see whether the CDC 2004-05 flu predictions are more accurate, but for the first time a systematic assessment has been conducted of all flu vaccine trials worldwide. The review was conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration* and Dr. Jefferson was one of the four authors. The Cochrane reviewers wanted to answer the question of how effective flu vaccines are for healthy people under the age of 60 years. They also wanted to see whether there were any adverse effects.

They found 25 clinical trials in which healthy people between the ages of 14 and 60 years had been randomly assigned to have a flu vaccine or a placebo (inactive) vaccine. All the trials had been published in medical journals between 1969 and 2002. Altogether they involved 59,566 participants. Here is the Cochrane Review conclusion: Influenza vaccines are effective in reducing influenza A and B, but they do not work against the overwhelming majority of influenza-like illnesses.

When the Cochrane reviewers pooled the results of all 25 trials, they found that only 6% fewer vaccinated people got the flu, compared to the unvaccinated people. The vaccine formulations, which differed each year, were based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization or single governments (the 25 trials took place in eight different countries). No adverse reactions to the vaccines were reported.

The Cochrane review, which was published this year, produced these additional findings: The influenza vaccine did not reduce the number of working days lost, nor did it reduce flu-related complications, deaths or hospitalizations. From a public health standpoint, another disappointing finding was the failure of the vaccines to stop the spread of influenza.

In conclusion:

Most people will not get the flu (only 5-20% come down with it each season, according to the CDC). Influenza does not pose a risk of serious complications to most people who get it. The flu vaccine (which changes formulations each year) does not prevent the type of flu that the overwhelming majority of Americans get each fall/winter season. The flu vaccine will cut the odds of getting influenza A and B by only 25%. This type of influenza, however, represents less than 15% of all cases, and public health officials cannot forecast how much of the influenza viruses expected in the upcoming flu season will be influenza A and B.

Elderly people may benefit from a flu vaccination in terms of reduced risk of pneumonia, hospitalizations and death, but the supporting studies are not very good. There is no good evidence to show that the benefits outweigh the risks of vaccinating babies and young children against the flu. Healthy people under age 60 years do not benefit from the flu vaccine, in terms of reduced odds of getting the flu, days lost from work, or stopping the spread of influenza. No adverse reactions to the flu vaccine have been identified, though long-term consequences are unknown.
UnagiDon at 01:13 AM JST - 19th January

Stories about flu always bring out those who are against vaccination and either bring up their personal anecdotes about not getting the flue (totally irrelevant) or selective use of studies saying that vaccination is ineffective or that the risks outweigh the benefits. Regardless, the evidence from most studies and national health agencies is that for national populations, vaccinations benefits outweigh their risks. If you don't want to get it because you think you're immune or have an irrational fear of side-effects, that's your choice, but don't think that you are somehow smarter than everyone who does get it- statistically the opposite is true.
DELTA440 at 01:23 AM JST - 19th January

as long as this isnt the deadly pandemic strain h5n1 we should be ok
kwatt at 08:18 PM JST - 19th January

Regular masks can not prevent influenza virus but real medical masks like type N95 mask can prevent 95 percent. I stockpile many N95 masks, and also food, water, madicine for weeks in case of new strain outbreak.
kaatosan at 02:23 PM JST - 21st January

@UnagiDon Puh-lease. The vast majority of the public does not need flu vaccines because they are not high risk and have functional immune systems. For them, the flu vaccine is mostly a convenience.

Those that are at risk (elderly and weak) have the potential to benefit, but when the vaccines don't target the correct influenza strains - they are pointless. And in this case they didn't work as they were supposed to. End of story.
DELTA440 at 02:58 AM JST - 22nd January

n95 masks are good but when the shit hits the fan like that thats why i have 2 military issue fullface nbc gasmasks
leitmotiv at 11:00 AM JST - 22nd January

kaatosan - That is absolutely incorrect. Its been shown, specifically in Japan, that when more of the general population particularly children is vaccinated, the mortality rate in elderly for pneumonia-like symptoms (i.e., influenza) deceases significantly. Vaccines are optimally effective if the majority of the population is vaccinated - even low risk persons.