Japan is currently grappling with an unprecedented surge in flu cases, leading to significant drug shortages across hospitals and pharmacies. Since late December last year, the country has recorded approximately 9.523 million flu cases between September 2, 2024, and January 26, 2025, according to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.
The situation reached a tipping point in the final week of December 2024, marking the highest weekly flu caseload since 1999. During this peak, around 5,000 medical institutions reported a staggering 317,812 patients, averaging 64.39 cases per facility—more than double the government's warning threshold.
Health officials have been urging everyone to take precautions, such as wearing masks and practicing thorough handwashing, to curb the spread of the virus. However, the demand for flu medications has outpaced supply, exacerbated by uneven stock distribution and hoarding by some medical institutions.
Adding to the health crisis, Japan is also facing a massive avian influenza outbreak. In January alone, about 5 million chickens and other birds were culled across five prefectures. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries warns that these outbreaks show no signs of slowing and may potentially break existing records.
The impact of these outbreaks extends beyond health, affecting the economy as well. Egg prices have surged by 15% since the beginning of the year, placing additional strain on consumers and the food industry.
As Japan continues to navigate these dual challenges, the emphasis remains on public health measures and managing the economic repercussions of the ongoing outbreaks.
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Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
