[NEWS] Fire Ants Found in Yokohama

Fire ants have found in various places (mostly international ports) in Japan recently. And they were also found in Honmoku Pier, Yokohama.

The Japan News:
Over 500 fire ants found in Yokohama

Press release by the city (PDF in Japanese)
Report on the fire ant investigation at Yokohama port (July 14th, 2017)

(quote and translation from the report)
When you find fire ant, stay away and don't touch or try to break the nest.
When you were stung by fire ants, stay calm and rest for about 20-30 minutes. If it gets worse, go immediately to the doctor's.  Tell the doctor that you were stung by fire ants and you might have an anaphylaxis.


Other fire ants news in Japan:

Nikkei Asian Review:
Fire ant scare gives Japanese pesticide stocks a boost


About the fire ant

National Institute for Environmental Studies
Solenopsis invicta

[NEWS] Rubella Epidemic News

Here is an article on 31 babies born with rubella syndrome last year.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/01/14/national/31-japanese-children-born-with-rubella-syndrome-in-2013/#.UuIndf0kpD1

The latest report on Rubella infection
http://www0.nih.go.jp/niid/idsc/idwr/diseases/rubella/rubella2014/rube14-02.pdf

The ministry board put up the plan to stop the epidemic by next Tokyo Olympic (2020).

The city of Yokohama extended the support for vaccination until 31st March 2014.
http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kenko/hokenjo/genre/kansensyo/pdf/rubella-paper.pdf
1) Women who wish/plan to have a baby (*you can't take the vaccination if you are already pregnant)
2) The husband/partner of a pregnant woman

¥3000 for MR vaccination
There are 700 clinics/hospitals where you can have the vaccination at this price (with the support by the city). Please consult your doctor or ward office.
*You can't use this system if you have taken the MR or Rubella vaccination more than once.

Source (the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, in Japanese):
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/kenkou/kekkaku-kansenshou/rubella/

[HEALTH] HFMD Outbreak July 2013

The number of patient report of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) has reached alert level in all the wards except Tsurumi in Yokohama (17/18 wards) in the mid-July, 2013. 31.5% of the reported patients are 1 year-olds.

The most popular virus this time is CA6, whose symptoms tend to be bigger spots (rash) not limited to hand, foot and mouth.

To avoid the infection, we should wash our hands regularly and pay attention when dealing with diapers and toilette trashes.

Source: Yokohama Health and Welfare Bureau (in Japanese)

[NEWS] The First Official Meeting of IMCY, MON 20th May, 2013

I am glad to announce that we are going to have our first meeting!!

Date: Monday, 20th May, 10:30-12:00
*You can come anytime.
Place: Naka Citizens' Activity Center/Naka International Lounge Meeting Space& Kids' Space
34 Nihon Odori, Naka-ku, Yokohama (next to Naka Ward Office)
Google Map
You can see the photos of the entrance and the meeting space from here


There are toys and books for kids in the kids' space.
We are already registered as a group and can use the meeting space for free.

We are going to discuss:
-What we can do as a group
-What kind of information is needed
-About ourselves to break the ice!

Please come and join!

英語が不得意な方でも大丈夫です。ふるってご参加下さい。

[NEWS] Crows found dead in Kannai 30th April/2013

20 crows and found dead on the streets near Kannai yesterday. The authority investigated four of the crows but the bird flu virus wasn't detected. The birds may have been poisoned or infected, so please be careful, especially your children, not to touch dead birds. If we find any around our place, we are supposed to call the police (110).

Source:Yomiuri Online

[NEWS] Rubella Pandemic

Increasing number of Rubella（風疹 in Japanese）infection reports around Tokyo!There are already 80 infection reports this year in Yokohama. The patients are mostly young men aged 20-50 years old. If a mother is infected, her baby may born with CRS (congenital rubella syndrome), particularly higher risk if she is less than 20 weeks pregnant.

*MR (Measles-Rubella) vaccination is a regular one so it is free of charge for the children of the age above, in designated hospitals in Yokohama. Maternal and Child Health Handbook is required.

The vaccine is available but not for pregnant women. When you are vaccinated, you should avoid getting pregnant for 2 months.
For children, the first dose should be given from 12-24 months, and the second dose from 5-7 years old.

Source (in Japanese):
http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kenko/eiken/idsc/rinji/rubella/2013/rubella0314.pdf


(31st March, 2013)



Yokohama City starts to provide a financial support to Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination for those who plan to have a baby. The conditions are as follows:

-Older than 19 years old.
-A woman who plans to have a baby.
-The husband of a pregnant woman (not necessarily legally married. The Maternal and Child Health Handbook required to prove that he's the father of the baby)
-Those who have been given MR, Measles(single) or Rubella(single) vaccination(s) before.

The support is available from 22nd April to 30th September 2013.
You will have to pay only 3,000 yen (whereas it costs about 10,000yen).

Please consult your doctor.


Source(in Japanese):
http://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kenko/hokenjo/genre/kansensyo/vaccination/rubella.html


(17th April 2013)