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On May 20th 2009, a resident of Otsu city was confirmed to have the Influenza A (H1N1) virus. Shiga prefecture closed all prefectural high schools and is taking measures to prevent the further spread of infection in Otsu, Kusatsu, Ritto, Moriyama, Yasu and Konan cities as affected regions.

Although Koka City is not included in these regions and Influenza A (H1N1) is a mild infection, because the virus is highly infectious, we have decided the following measures to be necessary in the event a case of infection is confirmed in Koka City.

Though these measures may cause our citizens trouble, they are taken in order to protect the health of each of our citizens, and I would like to sincerely ask for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Takeshi Nakajima
Mayor, City of Koka
Chair, Koka City Influenza A (H1N1) Counter-Measure Council

• The city preschools, elementary schools and junior high schools will be closed. Each school will inform the period of closure, etc..
• The city nursery schools will be opened as usual in consideration of guardians’ work and the staff will be careful of the children’s condition. Hereafter, if there is fear of rapidly spreading infection, nursery schools may be closed, so please pay attention to the information from Koka City.
• Libraries, halls, community centers, gymnasiums, and other public facilities will be closed in principle. Time period is settled depending on the situation.
• Official meetings and events will be postponed or cancelled in principle. In these cases, participants will be contacted afterward.
• Private organizations or associations will be asked to temporarily postpone their events meetings, etc.
• In the event of the confirmation of infected persons in-city, we will provide information as soon as possible, so please pay attention to the information from Koka City.

• Since surgical masks are scarce, please avoid unnecessary travel, especially to outbreak areas. Also please wash your hands and gargle after returning home thoroughly.
• Please cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or handkerchief when coughing or sneezing to prevent saliva from spreading.
• Please take and check your temperature everyday at home.
• If you have symptoms such as fever or sore throat, please consult the Koka Healthcare Center (63-6111) or Koka City Fever Consultation Office (65-0703). Both of these facilities are open 24 hours. In this case you will be asked some questions, so please answer them properly.
• If you go to the hospital by your own decision, there is a risk of spreading infection. Please do not fail to follow the direction from the healthcare center.
• There are sufficient curatives in medical facilities, so we ask that you please avoid confusion and proceed calmly.

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