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TOKYO: The number of H1N1 cases in Japan has reached 900. In view of the numbers, Japanese authorities are changing the way they deal with the disease.
In mid-May, many in Tokyo were wearing masks even though there were no reports of H1N1 patients in the capital. At that time, the H1N1 epicentres were the cities of Kobe and Osaka.
Today, there is hardly anyone wearing masks even though the number of cases has jumped.
The production of vaccine for seasonal flu will be replaced by vaccine for H1N1 from mid-July, and will be available for some 25 million people by the end of the year.
The Japanese government has also relaxed its instructions on inspections of possible H1N1 patients.
It has stopped special quarantines at international airports in the country, and patients who are not in serious condition have been told to stay home.
Meanwhile, hospital beds are reserved only for the seriously ill. Experts say it is the right move.
Shigeru Omi, regional director emeritus of the World Health Organisation's Regional Office for Western Pacific, said: "Japan undertook shoreline operations which it had some issues over. It has even closed schools.
"No country will be able to prevent the infection. That definitely doesn't mean the country or the government failed. I think Hong Kong, and also Singapore, although I do not know the details because I am there right now... I think they are making the right decision."
Omi is now advising the Japanese government and has warned that everyone should be prepared to face the virus in the long term as it has been reportedly mutating.
Omi is calm about the spread of the virus in Southeast Asia, and said it is important for authorities to track how it spreads.
For Japan, the spread of the flu epidemic in the summer is rare.
- CNA/yb
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