# 17,685
While we wait to see just what kind of respiratory season we have in store (see last week's CDC 2023-2024 Respiratory Disease Season Outlook), already we are seeing signs of early activity - both here in the United States - and around the world.
A week ago, Tokyo cautioned the number of influenza infections reported by medical institutions was unusually high for early September.
Today, following another abrupt week-to-week rise in influenza cases (see chart below), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced an early season influenza alert.
As we learn from the following (translated) statement, schools are being hit unusually hard, with hundreds of classes cancelled, and the main subtype being reported is A/H3.
September 21, 2023 Health and Medical Care Bureau
Influenza epidemic advisory in Tokyo
Influenza is prevalent from December to March every year. However, from last year to this year, influenza has been occurring sporadically, and an increasing trend has been seen as the number of influenza cases continues to exceed 1.0 per sentinel, which is the standard for the start of an epidemic . I'm just calling for your attention .
The number of influenza cases reported per sentinel in the 37th week (September 11 to September 17) was 11.37, exceeding the "epidemic advisory standard" of 10.0 per sentinel and rapidly increasing. There is a possibility that the epidemic will spread further in the future, so we need to be careful.
To prevent the spread of influenza, please continue to take basic infection prevention measures such as frequent hand washing, disinfection, and cough etiquette.
Key points to prevent influenza
- Frequent hand washing and disinfection
- Wearing a mask when it is effective
- Rest, nutrition, hydration
- cough etiquette
- Appropriate indoor humidification and ventilation
- Vaccination (consult with your family doctor)
(SNIP)
(Continue . . . .)
A/H3 flu seasons tend to be more severe than A/H1 seasons - particularly for the elderly - and while there seems to be more COVID than flu circulating in the United States right now, that could easily change in the weeks ahead.
Surveillance can generally only tell us what was happening 1 to 2 weeks ago, so by the time we get strong flu activity signals, the virus is already making serious inroads.
Since the flu shot takes a couple of weeks to become fully effective, those planning on getting the jab this fall will want to schedule it before that happens.
