Japan COVID-19 travel notice issued as cases near 100

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel notice for Japan this week due to the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) outbreak.

Many cases of COVID-19 have been associated with travel to or from mainland China or close contact with a travel-related case, but multiple instances of community spread have been reported in Japan. Community spread means that people in Japan have been infected with the virus, but how or where they became infected is not known.

To date, Japan has reported 97 cases and one death.

CDC warns travelers to Japan should avoid contact with sick people and clean their hands often by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%–95% alcohol.

If you spent time in Japan during the past 14 days and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing:

Seek medical advice. Call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel to Japan, an area with community spread of coronavirus, and your symptoms.

Avoid contact with others.

Do not travel while sick.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.

Clean your hands by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%–95% alcohol immediately after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.



