Infectious Diseases warning

Caution required with the following infectious diseases in Tokyo.

Infectious Disease Surveillance

The Tokyo Infectious Diseases Weekly Report is created on a weekly basis surveillance of infectious disease in tokyo.

• 2024 / Number 47

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Legal based response and Measures

In Japan, investigations, responses, and measures are conducted by government agencies according to law for patients infected with infectious diseases stipulated by law.

Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases

The Infectious Diseases Control Law designates diseases that are highly infectious and have a major impact on life and health.it is stipulating methods for their prevention and control the spread of infection.

The Law addresses the National Epidemiological Surveillance of Infectious Diseases and stipulates the response of government agencies when patients are identified.

National Epidemiological Surveillance of Infectious Diseases

The National Epidemiological Surveillance of Infectious Diseases is conducted for the purpose of grasping and analyzing the incidence of infectious diseases, providing information to prevent the incidence and spread of infectious diseases.

The law stipulates diseases that all doctor and veterinarian who diagnosed infectious diseases have obligation to report and diseases to be reported by sentinels.

The notifications and reports gathered by the health centers are compiled to advise caution on the status of outbreaks in the respective district.

Caution / Warnings

If reports of infectious diseases by the sentinels exceed a certain level, municipalities will issue a caution or warning.

• Caution: Before the large outbreak, a caution is issued when there is a high probability of massive outbreak occurring within the next four weeks. a caution is also issued when an outbreak is suspected to be ongoing.
• Warning: Issued when large outbreak has occurred and would be continued.

Response of Government Agencies When Patients are Identified

After receiving notification from medical institutions, health centers may interview patients, their families, and relevant individuals. Based on the results of the investigation, individuals suspected of being infected will be identified and encouraged to consult a physician. Depending on the type of disease and patient condition, Preventive Actions such as hospitalization or disinfecting will be conducted.

Category I Infectious Diseases / Extremely dangerous infectious diseases in terms of the degree of contagiousness and seriousness when infected (Ebola hemorrhagic fever, plague, etc.)

• Traffic restrictions
• Travel and behavior survey
• Hospitalization, in principle (medical expenses covered by the government)
• Disinfect belongings, residence, etc.

Category II Infectious Diseases / Highly dangerous infectious diseases in terms of the degree of contagiousness and seriousness when infected (tuberculosis, MERS, etc.)

• Travel and behavior survey
• Hospitalization depending on circumstances (medical expenses upon hospitalization covered by public funds)
• Disinfect belongings, etc.

Category III Infectious Diseases / Infectious diseases that are not highly dangerous in terms of the degree of contagiousness and seriousness when infected but that may lead to mass infection (cholera, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection, etc.)

• Travel and behavior survey
• Work restrictions for certain professions
• Disinfect belongings, etc.

Category IV Infectious Diseases / Infectious diseases transmitted through animals or food and beverages (yellow fever, rabies, etc.)

• Travel and behavior survey
• Disinfect, including treatment of animals

Category V Infectious Diseases / Infectious diseases on which information is gathered and made public to prevent the spread of the outbreak (measles, seasonal influenza, etc.)

• Travel and behavior survey

Designated infectious diseases, new infectious diseases, novel influenza, etc.

• Restrict movement
• Travel and behavior survey
• Hospitalization, in principle (medical expenses covered by public funds)
• Disinfect belongings, residence, etc.