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An influenza epidemic is likely to hit this winter, according to a recent nationwide survey of about 5,000 medical institutions by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) that shows the number of flu patients has risen for five weeks in a row.
In Hokkaido and Miyazaki Prefecture, the average number of flu patients per hospital has exceeded one. Influenza is considered to have reached an epidemic level when that average exceeds one for a week.
Unlike last season, when there was an outbreak of a new type of influenza, this season so far most have been infected with seasonal A-type Hong Kong flu, which has accounted for about 70 percent of detected flu viruses.
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In Hokkaido and Miyazaki Prefecture, the average number of flu patients per hospital has exceeded one. Influenza is considered to have reached an epidemic level when that average exceeds one for a week.
Unlike last season, when there was an outbreak of a new type of influenza, this season so far most have been infected with seasonal A-type Hong Kong flu, which has accounted for about 70 percent of detected flu viruses.
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