Japan is grappling with a significant shortage of flu medications as panic buying sweeps the nation amid a record-breaking flu outbreak.
Since late December last year, when flu cases in Japan hit an all-time high, hospitals and pharmacies have been struggling to meet the surging demand for flu treatments. According to China Media Group, the shortage has been attributed to uneven stock distribution, aggravated by excessive hoarding by certain medical institutions.
Data released by Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases on January 31 indicates that from September 2, 2024, to January 26, 2025, the country recorded approximately 9.523 million flu cases. This unprecedented number highlights the severity of the current flu season.
Further emphasizing the crisis, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare reported on January 11, 2025, that the final week of December 2024 marked the highest weekly flu caseload since record-keeping began in 1999. Approximately 5,000 designated medical institutions reported 317,812 patients during that week—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 preventive measures such as wearing masks and practicing thorough handwashing. Despite these appeals, the rapid spread of the flu continues to strain medical resources.
Compounding the challenges, Japan is also experiencing a surge in avian influenza outbreaks. In January alone, around 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 avian influenza outbreaks show no signs of slowing and the situation may worsen, potentially breaking previous records. The ministry also noted the impact on egg prices, reporting a 15 percent increase since the start of the year.
As Japan navigates these simultaneous health crises, the government and medical institutions are working to manage resources effectively and encourage public adherence to preventative guidelines.
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Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
