| gUntil May 22, the number of PCF (pharyngoconjunctival fever) patients among young children is increasing to the largest in the past 10 years, and there may be a big epidemics of PCF in summer.h announced by the national institute of infectious disease. According to statistics until early May, a total of 18400 PCF patients have been reported by 3000 selected units of pediatrics, however it is estimated that the actual number may be 10 times as many as the statistics. The weekly average number of PCF patients besides the second week (Jan. 9 to 15) reported by per selected unit is larger than in the large-scale epidemics year of 2004. The incidence rate in last week (the 18th week from May 1 to 7) is 0.45, which is higher than 0.36 in the same week of 2004. Pharyngoconjuncticval has already occurred in all of the continents, and it may further spread in kindergarten and day-care center. Fear of a largest-scale epidemics, the national institute of infectious disease appeals for a thorough prevention, such as washing hands thoroughly, gargling often, and do not share towels etc.h |