3 die in Japanese flu outbreak

TOKYO, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- An influenza outbreak in the Tokyo metropolitan area has resulted in three deaths, health officials said Saturday.

The Tokyo metropolitan government's public health bureau said 101 flu cases had been confirmed at a hospital in suburban Machida, Kyodo News Service reported Sunday.

A total of 77 patients and 24 employees fell ill at Tsurukawa Sanatorium Hospital, the Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health said.

The hospital has been inspected and steps were being taken to halt the spread of the illness, Kyodo said.