Flu season is here, already!

It's still summer, but flu season is already here, and this year it has arrived unusually early!

The health ministry put out info stating that 4,094 influenza cases were reported by more than 3,000 medical institutions across the country in the week through August 23rd, and the average was 1.11 patients per institution, which is just above the benchmark of 1 used to indicate the start of flu season. This makes it the second-earliest start to Japan's flu season since the current survey began in 1999. For context, the earliest was back in 2009 when a new type of influenza was spreading.

Okinawa currently has the highest rate at 4.43 patients per institution, followed by Iwate and Aomori. Closer to Tokyo, Kanagawa recorded 1.99 cases per institution and Saitama recorded 1.83.

The usual reminders apply, make sure you're washing your hands regularly, and wear a mask where appropriate!