Influenza outbreak leads to school closures across Iwate Prefecture

Ten schools in Iwate Prefecture have closed due to influenza, bringing the season's total to 56 cases. This marks a significant increase compared to the previous year. The closures include seven elementary schools, one junior high school, one high school, and one special needs school. Several schools reported a high number of student absences due to the flu. Iwate Prefecture has issued an influenza warning, the earliest in a decade, as the number of cases per medical institution exceeded the threshold. Authorities are urging preventative measures like mask-wearing and handwashing.