国外媒体:H1N1流感在日本急速蔓延（在线收听）

甲型H1N1流感在日本关西地区以超出人们想像的速度蔓延。大阪府和兵库县两地一时间草木皆兵。从上周的4例剧增至200多例。日本首相麻生太郎通过电视呼吁民众冷静对待不断加剧的H1N1疫情的爆发，要避免引起恐慌。

Prime Minister Taro Aso urged calm in television ads, calling on the public to avoid panic amid rising concerns of an h1n1 flu outbreak.

The government took to the airwaves after more than 200 new cases were confirmed in just 4 days.

The cases have all been confined to Japan's western prefectures Osaka and Hyogo. The Health Ministry says most patients are middle and high school students, but they don't know how the virus spread. Earlier this week local leaders shut down all public schools and more than 6 dozen universities. But on Wednesday Osaka governor, Toru Hashimoto, announced those schools would reopen next week.

He said it was important to move forward with classes, after a week long halt.

The government is trying to quell fears while proceeding with caution. It is worried about the virus's economic impact, with schools cancelling field trips and with reports that companies like Shiseido and Mitsubishi ordered employees to limit business trips.

Public "Fever consultation" centers and local hospitals say they're overwhelmed with concerned patients. That prompted Hyogo Governor Toshizo Ido to appeal for central government help.

Those concerns are quickly spreading beyond western Japan. Outside a crowded train station in Tokyo, Junko Sato hid behind 2 masks.

"It's a matter of time before it gets to Tokyo. To protect myself I wash my hands every opportunity I get. I gargle with mouthwash. I'm especially worried about my 5 year old nephew who lives with me," said Sato.

Life is returning to normal in at least one area. The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare plans to scale back inspections on flights at the country's airports. The changes could come at the end of the week. A top official says the first 4 cases of the virus may have been found at Narita Airport, but he says the main goal now is to stop the spread of the virus.