Two men assist a victim on Sunday.

Victim of Akihabara stabbing spree infected with hepatitis B

Tuesday 10th June, 03:45 PM JST

TOKYO —

Police on Tuesday said one of the male victims who survived Sunday’s Akihabara stabbing spree was found to be infected with hepatitis B. Police are asking anyone who helped give the victims emergency aid or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to visit their doctor for an immediate medical check.

Police did not identify the victim to protect his privacy. The Manseibashi police station in Akihabara is asking anyone who gave emergency aid to the victims to call them at 03- 3257-0110).

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Latest 15 of 42 Total Comments Show All

KitsuneYoukai at 11:30 PM JST - 10th June

rtrhead1...I agree with you. I've worked in an emergency room and 2 hospitals. In medical training and CPR training you are told to stop and help. Especially if you have some type of medical training. If you do not have protective gear readily on you then there are procautions to take when handling injured people. For one, I would stop without even thinking. I could just not stand by and watch or stroll by without a care in the world.
serindipity at 11:44 PM JST - 10th June

I could just not stand by and watch or stroll by without a care in the world.

Was that my comment? My comment was, do what you can without putting your own life at risk. And, precautions? Yeah, don't touch a bleeding stranger or you risk giving yourself a death sentence for being 'the good Samaritan'.
electric2004 at 11:53 PM JST - 10th June

Well, at least in Germany, one needs to have a first aid kit in the car, and this kit needs to include medical gloves against infections.

Some years ago, in Japan I tried hard to get a first aid kit for my car - it seems it is not standard. So - notice to self: check and refill.

About helping - at least I would try. This is what I have learned - at courses from red cross, and also at a free lesson offered to foreigners by the fire-brigade where I live in Ibaraki-ken.
electric2004 at 12:00 AM JST - 11th June

I forgot to mention:

It is possible to get an immunisation against 2 types of Hepatitis, which should last for 10 years. Of course I received before going to Japan. It was recommended by the health department of the research center where I worked before.
rtrhead1 at 12:56 AM JST - 11th June

serindipity, there is nothing that you can say that would make up for the fact that you would watch him die. there is nothing that you can do to help someone WHO HAS BEEN STABBED without touching him. just admit, that yes, you would stop and offer a kind word. that's all you would do. that's the difference between us. i actually care about helping a human in need call me crazy. you, and whoever gave you your advice are both selfish and cowardly, and it will never change, so, stand aside so the real people can step up and help. and as you said, risk giving yourself a death sentance. when you stand on the sidelines, yes, i guess you are not at "risk" of catching something, but, you are pretty much giving that other person a death sentance because you are afraid. i couldn't live with myself if i just watched. apparently, death to someone else doesn't really strike you, so long as you are safe.
sdf_crew_member at 01:00 AM JST - 11th June

Hypatitis A and B type is curable it's not "C" type which is a "slow death".
1GiantStudMuffi at 01:31 AM JST - 11th June

Good on the two who helped this stabbing victim. I'm not sure how you can comment otherwise? These two did exactly as people are supposed to do for their fellow humans.
nycsamurai at 03:15 AM JST - 11th June

Westurn

Welcome to the crock that is JT. Great opening post! I personally have a suspicion that the news of one of the stabbing victims being hepB positive is complete farcical hype. Why would that information need to be released except to stir up another idiotic discussion between the regulars here.
ka_chan at 07:42 AM JST - 11th June

Unreal, if won't help a person because of possibly catching Hepatitis, then you must not eat raw sea food, raw fruits or vegetables, not go restaurants, don't kiss or anything else, and never had a childhood disease as mumps. As for hep B most adults
rtrhead1 at 07:51 AM JST - 11th June

Hep B is curable, and it usually ends up clearing up on it's own, according to what I've read.
Himajin at 07:55 AM JST - 11th June

nycsamurai, it was on TV last night too. While HepB may not kill you, left untreated it can cause cirrhosis.

One of these solves the problem-- http://cprfacemasks.com/CPRfacemasks.htm

They come as keychains, and some include a pair of gloves as well. The masks in foil pouches fit in a wallet easily.The fire department here also sells them if I remember correctly. My son has a CPR keychain I'll ask him.

This has been a public service announcement from your local Himajin ;-)
NagoyaGaijin at 11:01 AM JST - 11th June

Geeze, the amount of sniping here is just sad.

Two people helped the fallen dude in the picture. GOOD. One is appearantly Asian. One is appearantly caucasian. So what??

The Akihabara incident on Sunday was a terrible tragedy. The policeman who responded to the call did what he could. He made a good arrest. One of the stabbing victims was found to have HepB...bummer, but at least there is treatment. Anyone who gave CPR should get themselves checked out just in case. That is one of the risks of helping people when there is blood or any other bodily fluids involved. Whether or not to take that risk of disease is a personal decision. If a person chooses to directly help, despite the (relatively low, but statistically significant) risk, then good on him or her. If a person chooses not to directly provide assistance because of that risk, I can understand that also. I don't think either choice is "more human" or "more humane" than the other.
nycsamurai at 11:33 PM JST - 11th June

Hopefully the people who don't want to help will be the next victims. But then those who would help would probably be the ones who would have to bail them out. Wonderful world.
timorborder at 12:19 AM JST - 12th June

Good on you nagoya, I agree with your comments about the people who got in there and did something. It doesn't matter if they are Japanese, foreign or martian, the important thing is that they got in there and helped. WIth regard to this hep B issue, so what? If somebody was bleeding out on the pavement, I don't think I would be too worried about checking their medical history, I would be more worried about keeping their intestines in their body. Of course, if the situation was reversed and I was doing the bleeding, it would be nice to think that somebody would come to my assistance and at least hold my hand (especially if I were to cash in my chips).
TheguyNextdoor at 11:40 AM JST - 12th June

Good on those who did help and those who commented on them helping. I served as an EMT for the U.S. Navy, the rule for approaching anything, was insure your safety first, that meant with all the proper gear(for emergency service personnel)!!!!. For those who helped and did what they did, I would have done the same thing at the drop of a hat. How could some of you just sit there and let someone die infront of you, have you had it happen to you before, you will never forget it. Someone said they would put a blanket on the stabbing victim (what the hell is the blanket going to do, you covering them because you believe they shouldn't be seen, or the blanket it self will provide them comfort in their last moments?!) how freaking cowardly, though the blanket my keep them somewhat warmer while in shock, you could at least use a portion of it to help control the bleeding which will give emergency service the time to arrive on scene. People like those who said they would like to help, but were afraid of getting sick, hope that i never get injured around you. Its not about just saving trying to save a life, but as TIMorBorder said "it would be nice to think that somebody would come to my assistance and at least hold my hand (especially if I were to cash in my chips)."