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Jump in swine flu cases in Japan Jump in swine flu cases in Japan
(about 5 hours later)
More than 90 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Japan although none of the A/H1N1 cases are critical. The number of swine flu cases in Japan has risen rapidly - with more than 120 cases now confirmed.
The figures have been rising rapidly; the first case in someone who had not been abroad - a 17-year-old student in Kobe - was reported only on Saturday. Nearly 2,000 schools and companies have closed, and the government has discouraged unnecessary travel to quell the spread of the disease.
Nearly all those affected are students in the Hyogo and Osaka prefectures in western Japan.
Just four cases had been confirmed in Japan as of Friday - people who had returned from Canada.Just four cases had been confirmed in Japan as of Friday - people who had returned from Canada.
They were kept in quarantine and all international passengers have been scanned for raised temperatures as they arrive in the country. The first case in someone who had not been abroad - a 17-year-old student in Kobe - was reported on Saturday.
The government has shut down schools and cancelled public events in cities where the flu has been reported. Call for calm
"We must be careful, but with quick treatment patients can recover," said Prime Minister Taro Aso. Japanese media said the new wave in infections would make Japan the fourth-most infected country in the world, after Mexico, the United States and Canada.
"We must respond calmly and appropriately." None of those infected are thought to be in danger of their lives, officials say, but the government is taking no chances.
Even in the sporting arena steps have been taken to reduce the potential for infection. "We must be careful, but with quick treatment patients can recover," said Prime Minister Taro Aso. "We must respond calmly and appropriately."
At a national sumo wrestling competition in Tokyo on Sunday officials sprayed disinfectant on the hands of every spectator as they arrived. Most of those infected are thought to be students in the Hyogo and Osaka prefectures in western Japan.
Experts believe the virus spread quickly between the two urban areas after high schools in Kobe and Osaka met for a volleyball tournament.
Kobe High School, along with nearly 1500 other schools in Hyogo, has now been closed, and several hundred more are closed in Osaka.
Japan has also established testing centres at airports, and is encouraging high risk groups to wash their hands frequently and wear masks.
Even in the sporting arena, steps have been taken to reduce the potential for infection.
At a national sumo wrestling competition in Tokyo on Sunday, officials sprayed disinfectant on the hands of every spectator as they arrived.
The outbreak has caused alarm in Japan, which with its aging population is exceptionally anxious about flu, the BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says.The outbreak has caused alarm in Japan, which with its aging population is exceptionally anxious about flu, the BBC's Roland Buerk in Tokyo says.
People routinely wear face masks on public transport to prevent the spread of coughs and colds.People routinely wear face masks on public transport to prevent the spread of coughs and colds.