1. The number of flu cases in Japan has significantly increased compared to last year, with children being particularly affected.
2. During the week through November 23, over 196,000 flu cases were reported, which is 1.35 times more than the previous week's figure.
3. Due to the surge in flu cases among children, some pediatric wards are running out of beds, and a notable number have developed encephalopathy and are in serious condition. Saito Akihiko, a pediatric expert, recommends ventilating classrooms, wearing masks in crowded areas, frequent handwashing, and getting vaccinated to prevent the flu from becoming more severe.