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J.Health Sci., 53(6), 722-729, 2007

Geographical Pattern of Influenza Propagation in Tokyo and Its Neighborhood in Three Seasons

Tsuyoshi Kobari,a, f Sumiko Kondo,b Hidekazu Tanaka,b Kazushige Ijuin,c Hisako Takeuchi,d Hiroyasu Sato,e Kazuo Iwaki,e Fumiyoshi Ishii,f Rieko Matsuda,g Yuzuru Hayashi,*, g and Takehiko Yajimah

aKosumo Chouzai Yakkyoku Co., Ltd., 2-129-3 Miyahara, Kita, Saitama, Saitama 331-0812, Japan, bPinokio Pharmacy Co., Ltd., 8-21-14 Youtou, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-0904, Japan, cTanashi Yakuhin Co., Ltd., 4-25-5 Tanashi, Nishi-Tokyo, Tokyo 188-0011, Japan, dTriad Japan Co., Ltd., 2-18-10 Kitasato, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 228-0829, Japan, eSchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ohu University, 31-1 Misumido, Tomita-machi, Koriyama, Fukushima 963-8611, Japan, fDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1 Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo 204-8588, Japan, gNational Institute of Health Sciences, 1-18-1 Kami-Yoga, Setagaya, Tokyo 158-8501, Japan, and hFaculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, 2-2-1 Miyama, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8510, Japan

The aim of this paper is to compare the geographical routes and speeds of influenza propagation in and around Tokyo, including Kanagawa, Saitama, Tochigi and Fukushima prefectures, in the seasons of 2003/2004, 2004/2005 and 2005/2006. Each season ranges from November 1st to October 31st. The propagation pattern is estimated from the daily variations in the sales amount of anti-influenza drug at about 30 pharmacies in the area. The time lags (day) of influenza infection periods between distant pharmacies are calculated by the cross-correlation functions of the drug sales at the pharmacies. We conclude that the influenza infection spread from the urban area of Tokyo to its suburbs (Saitama and Kanagawa) along the railway systems in all the seasons examined. However, no definite infection routes can be found in Tochigi and Fukushima. The infection periods of adults are contrasted with those of children in individual observation sites.