H1N1 in Japan

A total of 1,330 cases of group infections of influenza A, most of which are believed to have been caused by the H1N1 strain, were confirmed at schools, medical and welfare facilities in Japan in the week of Aug 24 to 30, roughly a 1.5-fold increase from 897 logged in the previous week, the health ministry said Wednesday.

The death toll from the H1N1 flu, meanwhile, rose to 10 in Japan as the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said the same day a man aged 69 in Kyoto Prefecture and anther man in his 70s in Kochi Prefecture had died. Both had underlying ailments, according to the ministry. The latest data pushed the total number of group infections above 4,000 as the weekly figure has been rising for five weeks in a row since the health ministry began collecting data on group infections in late July.

More celebrities have been affected by the spreading flu in Japan. Toshiaki Kasuga of the comedy duo Audrey and guitarist Masaru Shimabukuro of Okinawan band BEGIN.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that NEWS members Ryo Nishikido and Tomohisa Yamashita had been hit by the flu. NEWS had participated in the "24 Hour Television" telethon over the weekend, along with Audrey and many other celebrities. NTV has now urged caution to all of the attendees, as the flu may have easily spread during the event. Like Nishikido and Yamashita, Kasuga are taking a break from work. His flu was confirmed as type A, but it was not revealed whether it is the H1N1 virus (swine flu).

Meanwhile, Shimabukuro of BEGIN caught the flu in Fukuoka during the band's current tour, though the type of flu was not mentioned. As a result, the band postponed three shows that were scheduled for August 31 in Fukuoka, September 2 in Yamaguchi, and September 4 in Oita. The concerts have been rescheduled for December 27, 26, and 24, respectively. There's probably hundreds more cases out there and people don't even know the have it. I hope Japan will get this completely under control very soon.
sources: japantoday,tokyograph