Japan is grappling with a severe flu outbreak, resulting in significant drug shortages as panic buying takes hold. Since late December last year, flu cases in the country have surged to record levels, overwhelming hospitals and pharmacies with demand for flu medication.
According to China Media Group, the shortage of flu drugs is primarily due to uneven stock distribution and excessive hoarding by certain medical institutions. This situation has exacerbated the strain on Japan's healthcare system.
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported that from September 2, 2024, to January 26, 2025, Japan recorded approximately 9.523 million flu cases. Data released on January 31 highlights the alarming trend.
Further illustrating the crisis, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare announced on January 11, 2025, that the final week of December 2024 saw the highest weekly flu caseload since records began in 1999. During that week, around 5,000 designated medical institutions reported 317,812 patients, averaging 64.39 cases per facility—far exceeding the government's warning threshold of 30.
In response to the outbreak, health officials have repeatedly urged citizens to adopt precautionary measures such as wearing masks and practicing thorough handwashing to curb the spread of the virus.
Compounding the health crisis, Japan is also experiencing a surge in avian influenza outbreaks. Approximately 5 million chickens and other birds were culled across five prefectures in January alone.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has warned that the avian influenza outbreaks show no signs of slowing and may potentially break existing records. Additionally, the ministry has noted a 15 percent increase in egg prices since the start of the year, attributing the rise to the culling of poultry.
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Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
