Influenza cases are also increasing in Gifu Prefecture, and an “Influenza Alert” was issued today, November 27.

According to Gifu Prefecture, during the week ending November 23, the number of influenza patients per sentinel medical institution reached 45.60, exceeding the alert threshold of 30. This is nearly double the number from the previous week, and all eight public health centers in the prefecture have reached alert levels.

The areas with particularly high numbers are the Hida Public Health Center district with 97.00, followed by the Seino Public Health Center district with 52.00, and the Gifu Public Health Center district with 48.44. This marks the third consecutive season since 2023 that an influenza alert has been issued in Gifu Prefecture, making it the second earliest alert in the past 10 years.

Gifu Prefecture is urging people to thoroughly implement preventive measures such as frequent hand washing, maintaining appropriate indoor humidity, and wearing masks.

Gifu Prefecture

Gifu Prefecture, located in central Japan, is a region rich in natural beauty and traditional crafts, historically known as a crossroads of important transportation routes. It is famous for the historic village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site with unique thatched-roof houses, and the city of Gifu, which was a power base for the warlord Oda Nobunaga in the 16th century. The prefecture is also renowned for its high-quality cormorant fishing (ukai) on the Nagara River and its long-standing tradition of manufacturing Mino washi paper and Seki cutlery.