Flu reaches Japan
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare confirmed that three travelers who returned from Canada were tested positive for swine flu. According to sources, seven more people on board the same flight complained of feeling unwell and are undergoing tests.
Japanese Health and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe admitted that tracking all the people who came into contact with the three infected Japanese was an arduous task. "There are limitations to what we can do, but we will continue to monitor the situation and strengthen or relax such measures as needed," he declared.
As a precautionary measure, a high school teacher and 2 teenage students have been quarantined by the authorities in Tokyo after they returned from a school trip to Canada.
Meanwhile, Australia too reported its first case of swine flu. The affected person is a 28-year-old woman who returned on a flight from Los Angeles on May 7.
Asia better placed to handle crisis
Given its rendezvous with the SARS in 2003, the Asian countries are believed to be equipped and experienced in handling the pandemic.
However, the Asian countries are not throwing caution to the wind. The region has vowed to augment drug stockpiles, share necessary supplies, and stiffen the supervision mechanism against what they called an "imminent health threat" to the region.
Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of the Association of South East Asian Nations said while addressing the health ministers from China, Japan, South Korea, and the 10-member bloc, “We cannot afford to let our guard down."
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