Cases of mycoplasma pneumonia, a respiratory disease caused by bacteria, in Japan have marked a record high for the third straight week, local media reported on Tuesday.
During the seven days leading up to October 13, the average number of cases reported by about 500 medical institutions nationwide was 1.95 per institution, Xinhua news agency reported quoting public broadcaster NHK, citing data from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
The figure marks a rise for seven consecutive weeks and the highest-ever weekly total since the current reporting method was introduced in 1999.
By prefecture, Fukui has the highest average, with 5.67 patients per institution surveyed, followed by Aichi with five and Kyoto with 4.29, the report said.
The respiratory infection, caused by the bacterium mycoplasma pneumonia, spreads through droplets released into the air by sneezing and coughing and leads to symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue and headache.
Coughing can persist for several weeks in some cases, with some patients requiring hospitalisation due to severe pneumonia or physical weakness, the report said.
Health authorities warned that patient numbers will likely remain high as the disease spreads more easily in winter, stressing the importance of basic infection prevention measures, such as hand washing and masking.
Manipur: Security forces arrest seven, recovers arms & ammunition
Security forces in Manipur during the past 24 hours arrested six militants belonging to two banned militant outfits and a cadre of Arambai Tenggol, a radical Meitei group, police said on Monday.
Act sincerely to implement New Education Policy: Manipur Guv to VCs
Manipur Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Saturday asked the Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of Central and state universities to act sincerely for the total implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP)-2020.
Manipur Police constable shoots Sub-Inspector dead after verbal spat
A Manipur Police constable in Jiribam district fatally shot his senior colleague, a Sub-Inspector rank police officer, on Saturday after a verbal spat over some issue, officials said.
Manipur: Hand grenade found in front of college near Raj Bhavan
A powerful live hand grenade was found at the gates of Ghanapriya Women's College, located less than 100 metres from the Raj Bhavan here on Monday, police said.
Amur falcons to be tagged with satellite transmitters during Manipur halt to study migratory routes
A senior Wildlife Institute of India (WII) scientist would tag Amur falcons in Manipur’s Tamenglong district with satellite transmitters early next month to analyse the migratory routes of the raptors, forest officials said.
Security forces recover huge cache of arms, ammunition in strife-struck Manipur
Assam Rifles and Manipur Police in their continued operation recovered 12 weapons and a large cache of ammunition and war-like stores in the past week in Manipur, officials said on Monday.