Japan is grappling with a severe flu outbreak, recording approximately 9.523 million cases between September 2, 2024, and January 26, 2025. This alarming surge has led to significant drug shortages in hospitals and pharmacies across the country.
According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the number of flu cases reached unprecedented levels, with the final week of December 2024 marking the highest weekly caseload since records began in 1999. During that week alone, around 5,000 medical institutions reported a staggering 317,812 patients, averaging 64.39 cases per facility—well above the government's warning threshold of 30.
The drug shortages have been attributed to uneven stock distribution and excessive hoarding by certain medical institutions, as reported by China Media Group. In response, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare has been urging citizens to adopt safety precautions, including mask-wearing and thorough handwashing, to curb the spread of the virus.
Compounding the issue, Japan is also experiencing a surge in avian influenza outbreaks. Approximately 5 million chickens and other birds have been culled across five prefectures in January alone. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries warns that these outbreaks show no signs of slowing and may potentially break previous records.
The avian influenza situation has also impacted the economy, particularly in the egg market. Egg prices have surged by 15 percent since the beginning of the year, reflecting the reduced supply caused by the culling of millions of birds.
As the country continues to navigate this multifaceted health crisis, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to manage both human and animal influenza outbreaks, aiming to prevent further strain on medical resources and stabilize essential commodity prices.
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Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
