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25 mln people to be infected with new flu in Japan
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-28 20:16

TOKYO: An estimated 25 million people, or roughly 20 percent of the Japanese population will become infected with A(H1N1) influenza, said the health, labor and welfare Ministry on Friday.

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According to the ministry, around 380,000 people, or 1.5 percent of the new-flu cases, are likely to be hospitalized while another 40,000 people, or 0.15 percent, are projected to develop serious symptoms like encephalopathy or need to be aided by respirators.

The ministry also predicted that the peak of the epidemic will come around late September to early October in Japan.