"Never Been to Wuhan..." Japanese Driver Tests Positive for Wuhan Pneumonia After Giving Ride to Chinese Traveler

The First Patient Confirmed with Wuhan Pneumonia in Japan Without a History of Visiting Wuhan

Amid the spreading fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' passengers arriving from China are passing through quarantine at Gimhae Airport's arrival hall in Gangseo-gu, Busan on the 28th. Gimhae Airport conducts a three-step quarantine process for passengers from China: temperature checks at the aircraft gate entrance, fever monitoring at fixed quarantine stations, and additional investigations by epidemiologists for symptomatic individuals.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yeonju Kim] Amid the spread of the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia), it has been confirmed for the first time that a Japanese person who has never stayed in Wuhan (武漢), China, has been infected with the virus.

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced on the 28th that a Japanese man in his 60s residing in Nara (奈良) Prefecture was confirmed to be infected with Wuhan pneumonia.

This man is the first confirmed case in Japan among those diagnosed with Wuhan pneumonia who has no history of visiting Wuhan.

According to the Ministry of Health, the man is a bus driver who drove for travelers from Wuhan to Japan for long hours.

From the 8th to the 11th of this month, he drove 31 travelers from Wuhan from Osaka to Tokyo, and from the 12th to the 16th of the same month, he drove 29 travelers from Wuhan from Tokyo to Osaka.

All passengers who were on the bus at that time have completed their trips and returned to China.

The Ministry of Health identified that more than 100 people, including family members and travelers, had contact with the man.

In addition to this man, the Ministry confirmed on the same day that a woman in her 40s and a man in their 40s residing in Wuhan who traveled to Japan were also infected with the novel coronavirus.

Previously, including four confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, the number of confirmed infections in Japan has increased to seven. Among the confirmed patients, one who was the first to be diagnosed has improved symptoms and was discharged from the hospital.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.