As Influenza Cases Increase in Japan, Facilities for People with Intellectual Disabilities Struggle

As influenza and COVID-19 infections spread, facilities for people with disabilities are also struggling to respond. Facilities for people with severe intellectual disabilities have found it difficult to take precautions, and there have been cases of infections spreading among users and staff. At a residential facility for people with disabilities in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, is home to 40 people, including those with severe intellectual disabilities. The Director of the Saitama facility, Takahashi Minoru said: “We took sufficient precautions, but the infection spread so quickly that we’ve come to realize how contagious it is. Some of our users have epilepsy, and a high fever can lead to severe seizures. we would be grateful for any support.” Episode notes: ‘As weekly influenza cases average at alert level in 40 prefectures in Japan, facilities for people with disabilities struggle’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/01/19/as-weekly-influenza-cases-average-at-alert-level-in-40-prefectures-in-japan-facilities-for-people-with-disabilities-struggle/