**** The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert level of the pandemic influenza (swine influenza) to Phase 5 [...]]]> To those who live in Kanagawa, this is the official announcement from the government.
To check the details, visit Kanagawa Prefecture official site. Download the complete version with phone list here.
Other prefectures should have the same level of response.

****
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert level of the pandemic influenza (swine influenza) to Phase 5 based on the situation that the flu virus further spread from human to human, and outbreaks of the influenza are witnessed in larger groups.

Kanagawa Prefectural Government, already established the Health Crisis Management Headquarters, and according to the Kanagawa Prefectural Action Plan against the Pandemic Influenza, we are promptly implementing various measures to protect prefectural citizens’ health and prevent infection.
We will continue to take all possible measures against the influenza, so we would like to ask the citizens to calmly respond to the situation based on the accurate
information.
■ To the Prefectural Citizens
○ To defend against infection of the pandemic influenza, it is important to obtain the latest accurate information and respond calmly. Please try to get official information provided by the prefectural, national, and municipal governments, as well as news from the newspapers, TVs, and radios. The prefecture’ official
website will carry the latest information on the influenza, too.
○ To prevent infection, it is important to take precautionary measures in daily life, such as wearing a mask, washing your hands, gargling often, and avoiding crowds.
Please also observe the rules of etiquette, such as covering your mouth with a handkerchief when you cough.
○ If you have developed influenza-like symptoms, for example, having fever, coughing and suffering from fatigue, after returning from Mexico, U.S. and other
regions where the flu infection had been confirmed, be sure to make a telephone call first for consultation to the “Hatsunetsu Sodan Center” (high-fever consultation centers) at the Kanagawa Prefectural Public Health and Welfare Centers, or the Pubic Health Centers of Yokohama, Kawasaki, Yokosuka, Fujisawa and Sagamihara Cities before visiting a medical institution.
○ If you plan to visit Mexico and other regions where the flu infection has been confirmed, please consider cancelling the visit. You can obtain the relevant information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
○ You will not be infected with swine influenza virus by eating pork and processed pork products. Influenza is not transmitted through foods, so eating foods made in Mexico will not cause infection. Do not get confused by inaccurate information.
Shigefumi Matsuzawa
Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture
April 30, 2009

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is providing  the following services to Tokyo residents regarding  information on Influenza A (H1N1):

(1) Those who have entered Japan from affected areas within the past 10 days and have flu-like symptoms (such as fever of [...]]]> Source: Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health, Headquarters of the Governor of Tokyo, Bureau of General Affairs

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is providing  the following services to Tokyo residents regarding  information on Influenza A (H1N1):

(1)
Those who have entered Japan from affected areas within the past 10 days and have flu-like symptoms (such as fever of over 38°C/100.4°F,  coughing and sore throat) are requested to call one of the Tokyo Hatsunetsu Centers (Consultation Services for People with Fevers) that have been  set up at public health centers in Tokyo for consultation.
(Please note that services are in Japanese only)

<Contact information>
- Weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please call the Tokyo Hatsunetsu Center
(at your nearest public health center in Tokyo)
List of public health centers in Tokyo:
http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/SUB/hatunetujohosenter.htm

- Weekdays after hours (5 p.m. to 9 a.m.), weekends, and holidays
Tokyo Hatsunetsu Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Phone: 03-5320-4509

Note: For consultation in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Thai, please call the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Information Center at the number below. If necessary, the center staff will consult the above Tokyo Hatsunetsu Center on your behalf.

Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Information Center
Phone: 03-5285-8181
Consultation Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (also open on weekends and holidays)
(2).
TMG website

Influenza A (H1N1) Q & A in English has been uploaded to the TMG website:
http://www.fukushihoken.metro.tokyo.jp/iryo/kansen/sinpojiumu/SwineInfluenzafaq/index.html

(3).
Provision of information to foreign missions in Tokyo The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has been providing information to foreign missions in Tokyo via fax and e-mail since April 28 and will continue to provide updated information.

For inquiries on this press release concerning:

No. 1 & 2
General Affairs Section
Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health
Phone: 03-5320-4032 (in Japanese only)

No. 3
Foreign Affairs Section
Headquarters of the Governor of Tokyo
Phone: 03-5388-2221

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Kanji characters are ideograms which were brought in from China. On the basis of the Chinese and Japanese readings of these characters a system of phonetic manyogana characters was devised. This [...]]]> There are three main types of written characters in Japan: kanji, hiragana and katakana. Roman letters are also used, but to a much lesser extent.

Kanji characters are ideograms which were brought in from China. On the basis of the Chinese and Japanese readings of these characters a system of phonetic manyogana characters was devised. This in turn was simplified int the hiragana and katakana systems in about the ninth century. The characters of the hiragana and katakana systems represent single syllables. Each system presently has 46 characters.

In writing Japanses, most nouns, verb roots and adjectives are represented by kanji while the verb and adjective endings indicating the various tenses etc., auxiliary verbs and the particles are written one of the kana systems (hiragana or katakana). Adverbs can be written in either kanji or kana characters. Of the two kana systems, hiragana has by far the wider usage in modern times. Katakana characters are used mostly for spelling of loan words brought into Japanese from other languages.

The first characters taught at school are those of the hiragana system. In fact, however, a fairly large percentage of Japanses children are able to read and write kana characters even before they enter school.

All three types of Japanese characters are designed to be written in vertical lines, though they can also be written horizontally. When written vertically, the first line comes on the right of the pagae and succeding lines follow it to the left. Years ago, almost all writing was vertical but the horizontal style has gradually become  more populer since it is more adaptable to inclusion of Arabic numerals and passages in foreign languages. From the reader’s point of view, however, vertically written sentences are easier to assimilate and for this reason most newspapers, magazines and popular books are printend in this style.

Q　 What are the human symptoms of Influenza A(H1N1)? A　 Symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and coughing are seen. There are also patients who complain of symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Q   How [...]]]> This is an official explanation about the swine influenza aka H1N1 Influenza from Tokyo City government

Q　 What are the human symptoms of Influenza A(H1N1)?
A　 Symptoms such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and coughing are seen. There are also patients who complain of symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Q   How does Influenza A(H1N1) spread?
A　The virus is transmitted from person to person, through contact with saliva droplets (coughing or sneezing) or with contaminated surfaces and materials, including hands, toys, plates, glasses, computer keyboards, telephones, door handles, bathroom faucets and other daily living utensils.

Q　What protective steps should I take?
A　There have been no confirmed cases of people infected with Influenza A(H1N1) in Japan (as of April 30).
If you plan to go to the United States or Mexico, you are advised to:
1) Wear a mask to prevent infections through coughs or sneezes
2) Wash your hands often
3) Consult a local doctor if flu-like symptoms appear such as fever
and cough
In addition, those who had flu-like symptoms during their stay abroad or have such symptoms upon their return, are requested to report
this to the quarantine office.

Q　 I don’t have any symptoms, but is there a place where I can be tested for this?
A　 You do not need to be tested if you do not have any symptoms.
Please note that there are no tests that can confirm infection before the symptoms appear even for those with the high possibility of being infected due to their travel abroad. Please consult the public health center if any symptoms appear within 10 days of your return. If you have had close contact with an infected person, please also call the public health  center.
http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/INET/OSHIRASE/2009/04/20j4u501.htm

Q   Is there a vaccine for Influenza A (H1N1)?
A　There is currently no effective vaccine to protect humans from Influenza A(H1N1). It is also believed that seasonal influenza vaccines are not effective against this virus. However scientific work is now underway on the development of a vaccine with the aim to have it available within the year.