Health Concerns and Safety Alerts
To help the IUJ community stay as healthy and safe as possible, we provide occasional updates here as advisory or precautionary measures.
FOR UPDATES on IUJ and COVID19, please see the official notices.
General Preventative Health Care:
IUJ has provided hand disinfectant stations at various key points around campus. Please use these regularly. If you do feel ill, please return to your dorm room or apartment, and call the OSS or someone in your Buddy Group for support. Please go to the hospital or clinic at the earliest opportunity to receive early care before your situation becomes too serious. However, if you think your condition could be contagious or is a risk to others (an infectious disease) please do not go to the clinics or hospital, but call the OSS from your room for guidance.
Please wear a mask when on campus to help keep others from being exposed to your symptoms. THANK YOU
Please refer to the Hospital Guide. Remember that the OSS has language facilitation sheets in multiple languages to help you with hospital visits.
Noted here are
- WHO update on Novel Coronavirus January 2020
- MAFF Alert – January 2020
- Bear Alert – November 2019
- Swine Flu update – January 2019
- Flu season – Winter 2019
- Flooding and heavy rains in Japan – July 2017
- North Korea missile testing – August 2017
- JCSOS advisories – December 2015
- ISIS Threat – September 2015
- MERS Alert – Spring 2015
- Bird Flu update – November 2014
- Ebola Alert – November 2014
- Bird Flu update – May 2013
IUJ Update in Response to Coronavirus COVID-19
IUJ his issuing regular updates on how campus is handling the COVID-19 situation, and guidelines for the IUJ community. Today, tighter restrictions on travel within Japan were announced in line with the Japanese government “state of emergency” announcement for hot spots within the country. Students are asked to report to the OSS 3 days ahead of any unavoidable travel to those areas to seek guidance (faculty and staff should contact OGA). And, though there are no cases in our city, campus will continue our safety precautions with everyone’s cooperation: hand washing, mask wearing, class-room entry protocols, social distancing, etc.
The Minami Uonuma City is now regularly updating information specific to our city including any announcements of cases. Computer-based translation services are available.
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On February 26 IUJ issued a cautionary notice to all of campus asking people to not travel to areas known to have cases of COVID-19, to avoid large gatherings, and to wash hands with soapy water regularly. Students feeling ill are to return to their rooms/residences and telephone to the Office of Student Services (x103) during business hours, and the dorm team (x555) for support and guidance. Faculty may call to the OGA for assistance.
On February 27, the decision to cancel IUJ’s participation of the March 7 “Naked Man’s Festival” was announced. Other events and activities in the area are also being cancelled.
Advice on how to help stop the spread of COVID-19 from various health professionals in Japan and around the world are to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing and stay away from others if feeling ill. If you must go out and have symptoms, wear a mask. Everyone should wash hands with soapy water for a minimum of 30 seconds several times a day. If skin is drying out, use a light lotion as you want to avoid any cracks in your skin. Avoid touching your face as much as possible. Door knobs, elevator buttons, and things many people touch are possible ways to be exposed to the virus, so caution is advised.
As of February 28, Niigata prefecture has no reports of a COVID-19 case.
Novel Coranovirus
MAFF Alert on meat related products – January 2020
The Ministry of Agriculture Forest and Fisheries – MAFF – has issued an alert about those entering the country with animal related products. This is about the prohibition of bringing livestock products such as meat products without import declaration in passenger baggage into Japan from overseas. It is designed to prevent cases of hog cholera/classical swine fever and similar illnesses into Japan.
In short, we are not allowed to bring in to Japan any pork, beef, chicken, eggs, etc. (including processed products such as sausages and jerky, meat including foods containing meat, such as dumplings. We also cannot have such products mailed to us from overseas.
They provide an information site in English (Animal quarantine information for travelers to Japan)
Bear Alert – November 2019
This year, the number of bear sightings and encounters is extremely high due to the lack of food in the mountains (usually bad crop of nuts, etc.). Many local events have been canceled. We recommend the following:
- BBQ – we recommend cancelling any BBQ site gatherings.
- Avoid morning and evening outings – biking, jogging, etc.
- Keep food items inside
- Avoid going near the mountains
- If you see a bear or footprints, please be sure to notify OGA or the Security Guards.
The city is updating the information on their website. Please stay informed.
SEE THIS ONLINE INFO (Google Translation)
for Muikamachi
Koide site is only in Japanese at THIS LINK
<https://www.city.uonuma.niigata.jp/important-information/2019110100065/>
It includes a map of sighting locations.
Swine Flu reports – January 2019
You may have read in the paper or seen in the news, that Gifu prefecture is having another outbreak of Swine Flu. However, please note “The disease, which has also been detected in wild boars in both Gifu and neighboring Aichi Prefecture, does not affect humans even if an infected animal is consumed.” Therefore, there is no cause for concern.
Flu Season – Winter 2019
A strong Flu virus has been reported, and health advisories suggest wearing preventative masks, washing hands regularly, and gargling to help keep you health. Those on campus who think they may have the flu, are requested to return to your room, wear a mask, and get to the Moegi clinic or Yamato hospital to confirm if it is the flu and receive medical support.
Flooding and heavy rains in Japan – July 2017
IUJ campus is not affected by the heavy rains in Japan. Campus and our area are business as usual. There is no cause for concern in our area. We do, however, send thoughts and prayers for those directly affected.
North Korean missile testing – August 29, 2017 public announcement from IUJ
Dear IUJ Extended Community, As has been reported in the news, North Korea tested a missile the projectile of which went over Japan between Hokkaido and Honshu, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean about 1180K from Japan mainland. No damage or debris of any kind affected Japan. Transportation systems, daily life are going on as normal. IUJ is fine. Our summer program continues with no interruption of any kind. We will stay up on the news as it is released, but now we see no need for extra concern. For the most updated and reliable news in English, please refer to NHK at https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/
JCSOS Advisories – December 2015
Japan Council for the Safety of Overseas Students issued the following warnings/advisories for end of 2015 travel.
- [Asia-Pacific]
- Thailand – threat of terror
- Malaysia – arrest of terror suspects
- Singapore – Dengue Fever
- China and S. China – S. China see regional security issues
- [North America and Canada]
- US – Advisory on S. California shooting incident
- US – Salmonella food poisoning cases
- [Middle and South America]
- Venezuela – Advisory on announcement of parliamentarian’s election results
- [Europe】
- UK – Advisory on London underground attack
- France – Avian Flu outbreak (H5N1)
- [Middle East and Africa]
- Iran avian influenza (H1N1) outbreak
ISIS Threat
We have been asked by MEXT (Ministry of Education) to alert students about the threat from ISIS on Japanese institutions and people overseas.
MERS Alert
Please be aware of the outbreak of the MERS virus in Korea and other parts of Asia and plan your travels carefully, taking precautions in the areas affected. If you are returning to Japan through a port, please follow all immigration authorities and Quarantine instructions.
For Updated Information see
- Japanese Government alerts page
- World Health Organization site on MERS
Bird Flu (Avian Flu) – November 2014 update
Please note that Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) has again been detected in some wild birds, and wild bird droppings in Japan. No reports in Niigata at this time, but please be careful not to touch any wild birds, dead or alive! If you see any dead birds on campus, please contact the General Affairs office, or the OSS.
To learn more about Bird Flu, please refer to the WHO website at
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/
Ebola Virus – November 2014 alert
The world’s largest outbreak of the Ebola virus remains a serious situation. IUJers are encouraged to keep updated on the information provided by the world health authorities, and if possible not travel to the areas where the virus is causing much suffering:
Guinea, Liberia, Congo and Sierra Leone (as designated by WHO and MHLW)
Ebola is spread through direct contact with body fluids of any kind, and has a 2-21 day window when the symptoms can start to show after being infected. About 1/2 of those who are infected die. Early treatment is very key to the survival rate. It is said that fruit bats are the main virus host.
If there is anyway possibility you could have contacted the Ebola Virus, please return to your dorm room and call the OSS immediately for guidance. The OSS will work with the health authorities in Japan to get you immediate and safe (to others too) care. But do NOT go to the clinics or hospital on your own.
If traveling, follow all directions given by the Quarantine Officers cooperatively. Here is the quarantine procedures set up in November 2014 by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan
Symptoms of the Ebola Virus are fever, sever headache, and unexplained bleeding, among others. Please see this site for details.
To keep updated on the situation surrounding Ebola, please refer to these sites:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- World Health Organization
- Facts sheet from WHO
- Japan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (In Japanese)
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BIRD Influenza (Avian Flu) – May 2013 alert
In response to the request from the Ministry of Education, Japan, we would like to remind everyone to be aware and cautious regarding Bird Flu.
Avoid contact with wild birds, especially those found dead! The main transmission from wild birds infected with the virus to humans is through direct contact with the bird, or their feces. In April and May 2013, cases of human infection, including deaths are reported in China and Taiwan.
If you feel you may be infected, seek professional medical support immediately.
For details, refer to these sites
IN ENGLISH (for US market): http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/prevention.htm
World Case updates (including English reports) can be found at http://www.forth.go.jp/topics/2013/05090851.html
In Japanese (use Google Translate to help if needed) http://www.mhlw.go.jp/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/kenkou/kekkaku-kansenshou/infulenza/h7n9.html