Influenza A (H1N1): The Current Situation in Japan

May 2009
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan

1. Confirmed cases in Japan

Number of Confirmed Influenza A Cases in Japan (regularly updated):
Please visit the IDSC (Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan) website (Japanese / English)

More information may be obtained from:

Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
     Call Centre: +81-3-3501-9031(9am~9pm, Japanese language only)
     http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/topics/influenza_a/index.html

2. Quarantine Procedure upon Entry into Japan (revised 22 May)

• Passengers arriving from the United States of America (mainland only), Canada and Mexico will undergo an on-board quarantine check upon arrival ONLY when a passenger with influenza-like symptoms has been reported in flight.
• Close contacts (passengers seated nearby) of a confirmed patient will be monitored at a designated healthcare facility. No detainment measures will be taken.

(1) Flights from affected countries and regions

• If a passenger with influenza-like symptoms has been reported in flight,
  
  1. an on-board quarantine check will be conducted in order to detect other passengers with influenza-like symptoms and to identify their close contacts (as above). All other passengers will disembark and proceed to a quarantine station to undergo a thermography test as well as to fill in a questionnaire.
  2. close contacts (as above) will remain seated until checked by a quarantine officer with a questionnaire. Close contacts (as above) will be monitored after entry.
  3. Passengers with influenza-like symptoms will be isolated at a designated medical facility if tested positive.


• If no passengers with influenza-like symptoms are reported in flight,
  
  1. quarantine officers will board the aircraft and request all the passengers to complete a questionnaire.
  2. if no influenza-like symptoms are reported, the passengers will disembark and proceed to a quarantine station to undergo a thermography test and hand in the completed questionnaire.

(2) Flights from unaffected countries and regions

Passengers will disembark, proceed to a quarantine station to undergo a thermography test and hand in the completed questionnaire.

* Health Monitoring: a local healthcare facility near your hotel or residence will monitor your health for a designated period after your entry into Japan.