Norovirus surge in Japan spreads for fifth straight week

Cases of infectious gastroenteritis caused by the norovirus and other viruses have increased in Japan for five consecutive weeks, NHK reported.

The Japan Institute for Health Security analyzed reports from about 2,000 pediatric medical institutions nationwide. The number of patients per clinic was 9.48 in the week through February 8, up slightly from the previous week, according to NHK.

Multiple regions, including Aomori and Nara prefectures, have experienced consecutive events of food poisoning, resulting in patients suffering symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Health authorities have determined that most of these food poisoning incidents were caused by norovirus.

Forty-seven people who dined at a hotel in Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan developed food poisoning symptoms after norovirus was detected, local media reported on February 16.

The affected individuals experienced symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea after eating at Hotel Towadaso in the city of Towada, Kyodo News reported, citing the prefectural government.

Norovirus was detected in stool samples taken from guests and kitchen staff and the facility's operations were suspended for five days.

The Nara prefectural government announced February 11 that ten people aged 9 to 70s who ate yakiniku and other dishes at Restaurant Heian in Kashiba City in the prefecture reported symptoms including vomiting and fever, local media reported.

Investigations detected norovirus in the affected individuals and the restaurant's workers. The Chuwa Health Center in Kashihara City in the prefecture ordered the restaurant to suspend operations for three days.

Japan's Health Ministry says wiping floors and other places with sodium hypochlorite and placing clothes for over one minute in hot water at 85 degrees Celsius or hotter are effective in preventing the spread of infections.