Japan revamps policy to tackle new flu+

TOKYO, May 22 Kyodo -
The Japanese government adopted a new policy on battling new strains of
influenza Friday amid the domestic outbreak of an apparently milder form of the
infection, while the number of confirmed cases in Japan rose to 317, including
three in Tokyo.
The new policy, intended to allow for more flexible responses to minimize the
impact on people's daily lives and business activity, regroups affected areas
into two -- one with a limited number of confirmed infections and the other
where infections are spreading rapidly.
It also puts an end to quarantine checks of passengers on flights from North
America to Japan.
''It is important for local municipalities to take flexible approaches (in
containing the flu) in accordance with circumstances specific (to each
region),'' Prime Minister Taro Aso told his Cabinet at a meeting at the
premier's office, where the new policy was approved.
The previous policy -- amended in February and geared to address an outbreak of
the more virulent H5N1 avian flu -- called for wholesale uniform measures for
affected areas, while the current outbreak of the new strain of H1N1 influenza,
which has been mutated from swine flu, has remained rather localized.
Municipal governments have been required to put patients into designated
hospitals regardless of the severity of their symptoms, straining available
resources in some areas such as Hyogo and Osaka prefectures, where reported
infections ballooned over a short period of time.
The new government policy, based on the cases observed so far, says new-flu
patients may be treated similarly to those who come down with seasonal flu,
except for people concurrently having chronic diseases such as diabetes or
asthma.
The revamped policy says in areas where only a limited number of infections are
reported, all new-flu patients are hospitalized to forestall further
proliferation.
In rampant infection areas, milder symptom patients are allowed to be treated
at home, and general practitioners, besides designated hospitals, may admit
patients if steps are taken to prevent the disease from infecting others inside
the institution.
Japan had conducted onboard inspections of passengers on all flights that
arrived at its three major airports from the United States, Canada and Mexico
-- where a significant number of infections have been reported -- since April
28. Passengers who tested positive have been quarantined, while those sitting
around them on the same flight have been isolated for seven days.
These checks will no longer be implemented, except when advance information is
provided about passengers suffering fevers and other flu-like symptoms is
given.
But just on Friday, a South Korean man who took United Airlines Flight 881 from
Chicago, was confirmed infected with the flu after arriving at Narita
International Airport, near Tokyo, on Thursday, and has been quarantined at a
hospital nearby.
Eleven people sitting near him were also isolated at a hotel, but the Health,
Labor and Welfare Ministry lifted the isolation measure in line with the newly
adopted policy that no longer mandates such action.
''Anti-flu medicines have been effective for the new flu strain, which seems
like seasonal flu in many aspects,'' health minister Yoichi Masuzoe said,
commenting on clinical data regarding about 70 cases that have been detected in
Osaka.
''However, we should stay alert because some deaths have been reported among
overseas patients suffering from combinations of the new flu and other
diseases,'' Masuzoe said.
On Friday, Saitama Prefecture, neighboring Tokyo, reported its first new-flu
infection -- a 29-year-old Japanese man, in yet another sign of the disease
spreading in Japan. In addition, more new cases were confirmed in western
Japan.
Meanwhile, amid the growing impact on businesses from the outbreak, the
industry ministry said it will take some emergency measures to financially
assist mid-sized and small companies.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai said new-flu cases have
been gradually dealing a blow to local economies where infections have been
confirmed as there were lots of cancellations at hotels and travel agencies.
''In some shopping areas, people are gone,'' Nikai said, referring to those who
favor staying home in fear of the virus.
The ministry said it will introduce a safety-net loan program through some
government-affiliated financial institutions, which will help smaller companies
deal with the rapid deterioration of their business environment.
It also calls on those institutions and credit guarantee associations to relax
regulations on their existing loans, including granting a delay in repaying
borrowed money.
==Kyodo