As stated in “Tuberculosis mass infection will increase due to influx of technical intern trainees and international students, 2027 problem of tuberculosis brought about by the start of training work” (2024/10/08 JBPress), with the increase in foreign workers, it is important to strengthen infectious disease control measures. In particular, there is a possibility that infectious diseases with higher incidence rates than in Japan may be introduced, so it is necessary to have preventive measures and early detection systems in place for these diseases. This article uses three infectious diseases, tuberculosis, dengue fever, and hepatitis (types B and C) as examples, and discusses countermeasures against these diseases and points that accepting institutions should keep in mind.
1.Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis situation in Southeast Asia
Tuberculosis is a respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and is a disease with high morbidity, especially in developing countries. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), Southeast Asia is one of the high-risk regions for tuberculosis, with countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines showing particularly high incidence rates. There is no denying that workers from these countries come to Japan at risk of tuberculosis. There have been reports of cases in which latent tuberculosis infections have been discovered, especially among international students and technical intern trainees, and while the tuberculosis incidence rate in Japan is decreasing, the tuberculosis infection rate among foreigners is relatively high. This has become an issue.
Countermeasure
As an accepting organization, it is important to first conduct a strict health examination upon arrival. In particular, it is essential to check for the presence of tuberculosis using a chest X-ray examination. Furthermore, it is effective to conduct regular health checkups even after workers enter the country to check for any symptoms of tuberculosis. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent the onset of tuberculosis in Japan, and when diagnosed with tuberculosis, it is necessary to collaborate with appropriate medical institutions and establish a treatment system. In addition, it is necessary to confirm the presence of vaccinations and treatment history, and take appropriate measures, including quarantine measures, to prevent the spread of infection.
2.Dengue fever
Dengue fever situation in Southeast Asia
Dengue fever is a viral infection that is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes and is particularly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. In Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, the incidence of dengue fever is high, and the epidemic tends to spread mainly during the rainy season. In Japan, due to climate change and global warming, the areas where mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever can inhabit are expanding, and the risk of dengue fever being brought in is increasing with the influx of foreign workers.
Countermeasure
The first thing to consider as a countermeasure against dengue fever is to exterminate mosquitoes and prevent vectors. At receiving institutions and residential facilities, effective measures to prevent mosquito outbreaks include not creating puddles, installing mosquito nets indoors, and using mosquito repellents and insect repellent sprays. Additionally, through preventive education, it is important to encourage workers to take measures to avoid mosquito bites and to promptly consult a medical institution if they show signs of infection.
Furthermore, dengue fever has an incubation period from infection to onset, and symptoms range from mild to severe, so it is necessary to regularly check on the health status of workers. In particular, if dengue fever is suspected, blood tests are required to confirm the diagnosis quickly.
3.Hepatitis (types B and C)
Hepatitis situation in Southeast Asia
Hepatitis B and C are a type of viral hepatitis that can progress to chronic liver disease and liver cancer, making them a serious public health problem. Hepatitis B, in particular, is often transmitted from mother to child or through medical procedures, and the incidence rate is higher in Southeast Asia than in Japan. For example, in Vietnam and the Philippines, there are many hepatitis B virus carriers, and there is a high risk of hepatitis C infection through needlestick accidents and blood transfusions.
Countermeasure
It is important for accepting organizations to first require a hepatitis virus test before entering the country to confirm whether or not the person has been infected. Additionally, vaccination is an effective preventive measure against hepatitis B, so if you have not yet been vaccinated, it is recommended that you instruct your country to get vaccinated before or as soon as possible after entering the country. For hepatitis C, it is necessary to conduct regular blood tests and promote early detection and early treatment.
In addition, hygiene management is important to prevent hepatitis virus infection. For example, when workers work in medical or welfare settings, they are required to take specific measures to block the route of infection, such as using appropriate gloves, handling disinfectants, and taking measures to prevent needlestick accidents. In addition, by educating workers on how to prevent hepatitis and the route of infection, it is expected that they will be able to contribute to their own health management.
Comprehensive measures
Taking measures against the three infectious diseases mentioned above is extremely important in Japan, where the number of foreign workers is increasing. In order to prevent the introduction of these diseases, the following is a summary of points that receiving institutions should keep in mind.
- Health checkup before and after entering Japan: In order to detect and treat infectious diseases early, you are required to undergo a thorough health checkup upon arrival and continue regular health checks.
- Vaccination and preventive education: Vaccination is recommended for infectious diseases for which vaccines are effective, such as tuberculosis and hepatitis, and thorough preventive education is important for infectious diseases for which vaccination is not available, such as dengue fever. is.
- Improving the living environment and managing hygiene: Creating an environment that prevents mosquitoes and creating a sanitary living environment is fundamental to preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Additionally, facilities and equipment that workers come into contact with must be thoroughly disinfected and managed to minimize the risk of infection.
- Cooperation with medical institutions: If an infection is confirmed, the key to preventing the spread of infection is to promptly cooperate with medical institutions and take appropriate treatment and isolation measures.
As the number of foreign workers increases, strengthening measures against infectious diseases is essential not only to protect public health in Japan but also to provide an environment where foreign workers can work with peace of mind. By taking effective measures, both parties will be able to create a safe and healthy working environment.