Flu cases in Japan soared to a record high in late December last year, leading to significant shortages of flu medication across hospitals and pharmacies. The scarcity has been attributed to uneven stock distribution, exacerbated by excessive hoarding by certain medical institutions, according to China Media Group.
Data released on January 31 by Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases estimated that from September 2, 2024, to January 26, 2025, the country recorded approximately 9.523 million flu cases. This unprecedented surge has put immense pressure on the healthcare system.
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare reported on January 11, 2025, that the final week of December 2024 saw the highest weekly flu caseload since record-keeping began in 1999. Approximately 5,000 designated medical institutions reported 317,812 patients during that week alone, averaging 64.39 cases per facility—far surpassing the government's warning threshold of 30.
In response to the escalating outbreak, health officials have repeatedly urged citizens to adopt preventative measures such as mask-wearing and thorough handwashing. Despite these efforts, the demand for flu medication has led to panic buying, further straining supplies.
Compounding the public health challenge, Japan is also grappling with a surge of avian influenza outbreaks. In January, around 5 million chickens and other birds were culled across five prefectures as authorities attempted to contain the spread.
The country's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has warned that the avian flu outbreaks show no signs of slowing. The situation may worsen, potentially breaking previous records.
The ministry also highlighted the economic impact, noting a 15 percent increase in egg prices since the start of the year, affecting households and businesses nationwide.
(With input from Xinhua)
Reference(s):
Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
