78 domestic new flu infections confirmed

Monday 18th May, 06:38 AM JST

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Disillusioned at 08:48 AM JST - 18th May

I told one of my Jp friends about the the lack of effectiveness of masks and I was confused as to why so many Japanese people wear them. Her reply was, "Japanese people are different." She's 100% correct! Very different indeed! - Pandemic means panic in Japanese!
Himajin at 08:49 AM JST - 18th May
"A combination of infection control strategies is recommended to decrease transmission of influenza in health-care settings. These include placing influenza patients in private rooms when possible and having health-care personnel wear masks for close patient contact (i.e., within 3 feet) and gowns and gloves if contact with respiratory secretions is likely (see Healthcare-Associated Influenza). The use of surgical or procedure masks by infectious patients may help contain their respiratory secretions and limit exposure to others. Likewise, when a patient is not wearing a mask, as when in an isolation room, having health-care personnel mask for close contact with the patient may prevent nose and mouth contact with respiratory droplets. However, no studies have definitively shown that mask use by either infectious patients or health-care personnel prevents influenza transmission. In the United States, disposable surgical and procedure masks have been used widely in health-care settings to prevent exposure to respiratory infections, but they have not been used commonly in community settings"

Says the CDC. They are used to prevent respiratory infections, but data does not exist yet that it prevents the flu. However, I do know that wearing a mask when out will keep me from inhaling the sneeze of some old granpa who doesn't cover his mouth (had one this week, walking in front of me turn suddenly to look for his wife, and hack his head off as he did so , with his hands clasped behind his back). I don't see how it can't help keep people's flying spittle out of my nasal passages, I'm masking up when outside :-)

The CDC goes on to say-

"During periods of increased respiratory infection activity in the community, masks should be offered as part of a respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette strategy to patients who are coughing or have other symptoms of a respiratory infection when they present for health-care services (see Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette in Healthcare Settings). Masks should be worn by these patients until
1. it is determined that the cause of symptoms is not an infectious agent that requires isolation precautions to prevent respiratory droplet transmission or
2. the patient has been appropriately isolated, either by placement in a private room or by placement in a room with other patients with the same infection (cohorting). Once isolated, the patient does not need to wear a mask unless transport outside the room is necessary."
They also say that 'selective usage' of masks may or may not help because you shed virus particles before you're febrile...case of the barn door I guess, which is why the temperature checks on planes is only partially useful. There really isn't any other way though, you can't take a nasal swab and test every person getting off a plane. At least getting those who already have fevers is possible, those most contagious.
tuneintokyo at 08:56 AM JST - 18th May

how many deaths worldwide so far due to H1N1?
EUgirl at 09:45 AM JST - 18th May

I think this Brit got it right:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/may/04/charlie-brooker-fear-swine-flu

"Blind fear is counter-productive, but so is blind denial."
neverknow2 at 09:48 AM JST - 18th May

Wow, went from 0 to 42 in a flash.

The World Health Organization reports today that there are only 7 cases in Japan??

Some other Japanese websites are reporting different numbers to this website.

Who should be believed?????????????????????????????????????
tkoind2 at 10:01 AM JST - 18th May

Most likely the WHO site will not be fully updated with Japan's numbers until all testing is confirmed. Japan on the other hand will count them as likely or locally confirmed as they find them.

This was true with Mexico too as confirmations took time. Then we may see an even bigger jump due to delayed tests.
Momotarou at 10:02 AM JST - 18th May

The World Health Organization reports today that there are only 7 cases in Japan??

Some other Japanese websites are reporting different numbers to this website.

Who should be believed???????????????????????

Look when that was last updated, it was 6am gmt the 17th.

It will update here in a few hrs.
Himajin at 10:35 AM JST - 18th May

17 May 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT, 17 May 2009, 39 countries have officially reported 8480 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 2895 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 66 deaths. The United States has reported 4714 laboratory confirmed human cases, including four deaths. Canada has reported 496 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported nine laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.
Himajin at 10:37 AM JST - 18th May

The WHO site then lists more countries with cases with no deaths, so it looks like all the deaths listed so far are those in the previous post.
roomtemperature at 01:13 PM JST - 18th May

No, Smithinjapan. We won't think you're a Japan basher. We just think the usual: you think you know everything better. This is just like an ordinary flu, you say? There you have it. As usual....wide off the mark!!! For once do your homework before you start to preach nonsense. Ever thought of why there are so many precautions because of this "innocent" flu? Yes, it looks like a seasonal flu. But......it isn't!
roomtemperature at 01:32 PM JST - 18th May

"I told one of my Jp friends about the the lack of effectiveness of masks and I was confused as to why so many Japanese people wear them. Her reply was, "Japanese people are different." She's 100% correct! Very different indeed! - Pandemic means panic in Japanese!"

I bet she won't be your Jp friend anymore if she finds out you ridicule her behind her back on a forum.
tkoind2 at 02:39 PM JST - 18th May

I had to buy masks for the company prevention policy today. I was shocked to see little pink clad kawaii girls buying masks and trying to find hand sanitizer. If news has hit this otherwise oblivious social segment, then there is hope that people will exercise a little prudent caution.

Shibuya has decorated masks too. Pink and purple things. I doubt they would stop common house dust, but expect to see them worn anyway.
dennis0bauer at 04:08 PM JST - 18th May

how did it spread so fast? some school girls had karaoke with a gajin?
smithinjapan at 07:59 PM JST - 18th May

roomtemperature: "As usual....wide off the mark!!! For once do your homework before you start to preach nonsense."

So how many deaths from this world-wide compared to normal influenza? It spreads faster than normal flu, to be sure, but so far the virulence of it seems LESS serious than your typical winter flu.

"Ever thought of why there are so many precautions because of this "innocent" flu?"

Ever wonder why there are so many news forums and articles world-wide saying the WHO and governments around the world have overreacted? It's called paranoia. While this flu is no more virulent than others, it has spread from pigs to humans, and then humans to other humans, and so people are taking so many precautions.

Relax, and calm down.

"No, Smithinjapan. We won't think you're a Japan basher. We just think the usual: you think you know everything better."

Nope, never said that. The people who generally run around saying, "You think you know better" are simply insecure and cannot argue with any valid points, so attack the poster. I never said I know everything better, and so you saying it seems to suggest you have doubts about what you yourself actually know.

Just because people here are panicking, and that panic is noticeable (my local supermarket was sold out of a WHOLE lot of stuff today as people set up for long periods of not leaving the home), does not mean the flu is any more serious than any other flu kicking around. So, you go ahead and stock up on Tamiflu and bread and water... I'm just going to go about my daily business.
roomtemperature at 06:49 PM JST - 22nd May

" I'm just going to go about my daily business."

And that is? Oh, wait....a quick look at this website says enough.