Japan is battling a massive flu outbreak like never before, and it's causing some serious issues! 🤧 Since late December last year, hospitals and pharmacies are running low on flu meds. Why? Panic buying and hoarding by some medical institutions are making things tough for everyone. 😓
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases reported that from September 2, 2024, to January 26, 2025, there have been approximately 9.523 million flu cases across the country! That's a staggering number! 📈
The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare announced on January 11, 2025, that the final week of December 2024 saw the highest weekly flu cases since records began in 1999. Over 5,000 medical facilities reported a whopping 317,812 patients in just one week—averaging 64.39 cases per facility! 🚨 That's way above the government's warning threshold of 30.
Health officials are urging everyone to take precautions: wear masks 😷, wash hands thoroughly 👐🧼, and stay safe! If you're in Japan, it's time to be extra careful and look out for one another. 💪
But that's not all. Japan is also experiencing a surge in avian influenza outbreaks. 🐔 Around 5 million chickens and other birds have been culled across five prefectures in January alone. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries warns that the situation might worsen, potentially breaking records. 😱
The bird flu is affecting more than just poultry; egg prices have spiked by 15% since the start of the year. 🥚💸 So, your morning omelette might be costing a bit more these days!
Stay tuned for more updates, and remember: your health is your wealth! Take care out there! 🌟
Reference(s):
Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
