Mysterious Cold Outbreak in Fukuoka, Japan; Flu and COVID Tests Negative

Central News Agency, Tokyo, May 22. A 'mysterious cold' has recently broken out in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Many people are experiencing symptoms such as sore throats, persistent coughs, and runny noses, but tests for influenza and COVID-19 have all come back negative, sparking heated discussions on social media. The medical community believes the symptoms may be related to hay fever, air pollution, drastic temperature changes, or human metapneumovirus, and plans to conduct specimen investigations. According to TBS reports, symptoms began appearing around the Golden Week holidays in early May. Tsuyoshi Inamitsu, a standing director of the Fukuoka Medical Association, pointed out that since the symptoms are consistent, it is likely a viral infection. Not only in Fukuoka, but clinics in Sapporo, Hokkaido, have also seen a surge in similar cases. Medical professionals are urging the public to maintain sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and moderate exercise, wear masks in crowded places, and strengthen hand washing and gargling to reduce the risk of infection.