Risk of Outbreak of Arbovirus Infection in Japan

These days, many arbovirus (Arthropod-Borne viruses) infections, which are transmitted by arthropods such as ticks and mosquitoes, are reported in Japan. In order to address the risks associated with domestic transmissionimportation and infectionestablishment as well as the outbreak risks resulting from factors such as increased cross-border mobility and the surge in outdoor activities and wildlife encounters in urban areas, thorough consideration and research on these infectious diseases isa re necessary. Thiss tudys urveysr isks ofo utbreak and proposes countermeasures. The author estimated symptoms, regions and hosts of arboviruses that can infect humans and calculated the risk ofa d omestic outbreak, based on the risk ofim portation intoJ apan. With regard to virus importation into Japan, global warming, migratory birds, and seasonal winds are cited as circumstances unique to Japan. Also, new arboviruses have been discovered and outbreaks of arboviruses have occurred one after another, outside Japan. Moreover, cases of outbreaks across national borders and continents are also notable. Since with in arboviruses, vectors play an important role, it is importantto m onitor and control vectors. Improvementsin o fth e research systemf orp athogens and sufficientp ublica wareness campaigns activities should also be considered.