Human-to-Human Transmission of 'Wuhan Pneumonia' Confirmed in Japan

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Confirms Cases in People Who Have Never Visited Wuhan

▲ Amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, pedestrians wearing masks are moving near Shimbashi Station in Minato Ward, Tokyo, Japan, on the afternoon of the 30th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] NHK reported on the 30th that human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) has been confirmed within Japan.

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that cases have been confirmed in people who have never visited Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus, indicating that human-to-human transmission is occurring.

Shigeru Omi, Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Office, stated at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s press conference, "Even without symptoms, individuals can carry the virus and potentially transmit it to others."

He added, "At this stage, there is no need for excessive concern, but measures should be taken with the understanding that infection can occur from asymptomatic individuals."

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and Osaka City, the woman confirmed infected had served as a tour guide for tourists from Wuhan on a sightseeing bus driven by a driver who was already infected in mid-January. The tour took place from the 12th to the 17th and involved travel from Narita Airport to Kansai Airport.

The bus driver showed symptoms of fever and cough on the 14th and was replaced by another driver on the 16th due to feeling unwell.

The infected woman took on another tour with tourists from Henan, China, after the Wuhan tourists’ tour ended on the 17th. Her condition worsened during the tour on the 22nd, and she was replaced by another guide.

The woman was confirmed positive for the novel coronavirus on the 29th.

Since she had not traveled abroad in the past month, it is believed that she was likely infected while serving as a tour guide for tourists from Wuhan.

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