An Annual Epidemic of Influenza in Japan Analyzed with Network Analysis

摘要

Background: In this decade, several countries have suffered from infection of humans with highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza, provoking the threat of a worldwide pandemic. Information about a spread pattern of infectious diseases such as influenza of the currently ordinary types H3N2 and H1N1 is thought to be useful for taking preventative measures against this misgiving pandemic. This study aimed to analyze annual epidemics of the ordinary influenza in Japan with network analysis and to explore spread patterns.