Japan is currently grappling with an unprecedented flu outbreak that has led to significant drug shortages across the country. According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, from September 2, 2024, to January 26, 2025, Japan recorded approximately 9.523 million flu cases, marking a sharp increase that has strained healthcare resources.
The situation reached a critical point in the final week of December 2024, when the number of flu cases surged to 317,812 patients across 5,000 designated medical institutions. This averages to about 64.39 cases per facility, far exceeding the government's warning threshold of 30. The overwhelming demand has resulted in shortages of essential flu medications, prompting panic buying among the public.
In response to the escalating outbreak, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has repeatedly urged citizens to adopt preventive measures such as mask-wearing and thorough handwashing to curb the spread of the virus.
Compounding the public health crisis, Japan is also experiencing a significant increase in avian influenza outbreaks. In January, approximately 5 million chickens and other birds were culled across five prefectures in an effort to contain the disease. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries warned that these outbreaks show no signs of abating and may worsen, potentially breaking existing records.
The avian influenza outbreaks have had a notable impact on the economy, particularly affecting egg prices, which have risen by 15 percent since the beginning of the year. The surge in disease and subsequent culling of poultry has disrupted supply chains, leading to increased costs for consumers and businesses alike.
As Japan continues to navigate these dual challenges of a severe flu epidemic and rampant avian influenza, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to manage the public health and economic repercussions.
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Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
