Japan is currently grappling with a massive flu outbreak that has led to unprecedented drug shortages across hospitals and pharmacies. With flu cases reaching a record high since late December 2024, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported approximately 9.523 million cases from September 2024 to January 2025.
Last week of December alone saw around 317,812 patients across 5,000 medical institutions, significantly exceeding the government’s threshold. This surge has been partly blamed on uneven stock distribution and excessive hoarding by some medical facilities, as highlighted by China Media Group.
Health officials have been urging citizens to take precautions like wearing masks and frequent handwashing to curb the spread. 🛡️😷
Adding to the challenge, Japan is also facing a spike in avian influenza cases. About 5 million chickens and other birds were culled across five prefectures in January, leading to a 15% increase in egg prices since the year's start. 🥚📈
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries warns that these outbreaks show no signs of slowing down and could potentially break more records in the coming months. Stay safe and stay informed with the latest updates!
Reference(s):
Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
