Flu Outbreak Spurs Panic Buying, Drug Shortages in Japan
Japan is grappling with drug shortages amid a severe flu outbreak that has led to panic buying and uneven stock distribution across hospitals and pharmacies. Since flu cases hit a record high in late December last year, many medical institutions have reported difficulties obtaining essential flu medications.
According to China Media Group, the shortage has been exacerbated by excessive hoarding by certain medical facilities, leading to unequal access to treatment for patients in need.
Record-Breaking Flu Cases
Data released by Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases on January 31 estimated that from September 2, 2024, to January 26, 2025, the country recorded approximately 9.523 million flu cases. This marks a significant surge compared to previous years.
The 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. Around 5,000 designated medical institutions reported 317,812 patients during that week—averaging 64.39 cases per facility—far exceeding the government's warning threshold of 30.
Authorities Urge Precautions
In response to the escalating 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.
Avian Influenza Adds to Woes
Compounding the public health crisis, Japan is also experiencing a surge in avian influenza outbreaks. In January alone, approximately 5 million chickens and other birds were culled across five prefectures in an effort to contain the spread.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has warned that the outbreaks show no signs of abating and that the situation may worsen, potentially breaking previous records. The ministry also noted a significant impact on egg prices, reporting a 15 percent increase since the start of the year.
(With input from Xinhua)
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Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
