The number of flu-stricken patients reached about
1.11 million in the week ending last Friday, an increase of about 400,000
from the previous week, according to figures compiled by the health ministry.
In the week starting Jan. 16, the
number of patients suffering from influenza
reported to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry from about 5,000 medical
institutions was about triple that of a week earlier. The number of patients
per medical institution during
that period was 22.73 persons, up from 7.33 persons the week before,
according to the ministry.
An official at the ministry has called
for people to maintain good health and wash their hands thoroughly after
being outside, saying, "People in the Kanto region especially need to be
careful, as the number of patients there is expected to increase from now
on."
By age group, it is estimated the
largest number of flu patients, about 310,000, are aged from 5 to 9. About
200,000 patients are aged from 10 to 14, while about 170,000 are aged up to 4
years. More than 60 percent of patients are aged 14 or younger.
Eleven prefectures are on alert for a
flu epidemic as the number
of patients per medical institution has exceeded 30, including 59.88 in Fukui
Prefecture, 59.31 in Kochi Prefecture and 52.17 in Mie Prefecture.
The ministry is anticipating the
epidemic will peak in early
February.
The Yomiuri
Shimbun (Jan. 29, 2012)
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VOCABULARY
1. Stricken
(adj.) - very badly affected by trouble, illness, unhappiness etc
Example: Fire
broke out on the stricken ship.
2. Compiled
(verb) - to make a book, list, record etc, using different pieces of
information, music etc [↪ compilation]
Example: The document was compiled by the Department
of Health
3. Influenza
(noun) - a common illness that is caused by a virus and that causes fever,
weakness, severe aches and pains, and breathing problems
Example: patients
suffering from influenza [=the flu]
4. Institution
(noun) - a place where an organization takes care of people for a usually long
period of time.
Example: She
committed herself to a mental institution.
5. Epidemic(
noun) - an
occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number
of people
Example: Over 500 people died during last year's flu
epidemic.
6. Peak (verb) - to reach the
highest point or level
Example: Sales
peaked in August, and then fell sharply.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. When is the peak of
flu in your country?
2. Tell us about your
flu experience.
3. Discuss common
diseases in your country.
4. How do you treat
common illnesses like influenza?
5. How do we avoid influenza?
