Japan is grappling with drug shortages as panic buying surges amidst a record-breaking flu outbreak 😷. Since flu cases skyrocketed in late December last year, hospitals and pharmacies are struggling to keep up with the demand for flu medications.
According to reports, this shortage isn't just due to the high number of flu cases but also uneven stock distribution, made worse by some medical institutions excessively hoarding supplies 💊.
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases estimates that from September 2, 2024, to January 26, 2025, there have been approximately 9.523 million flu cases across the country 🏥.
Record-Breaking Flu Numbers 📈
On January 11, 2025, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare announced that the final week of December 2024 saw the highest weekly flu caseload since records began in 1999. Approximately 5,000 designated medical institutions reported 317,812 patients during that week—averaging 64.39 cases per facility! This figure far exceeds the government's warning threshold of 30 🚨.
Health officials are urging everyone to take precautions: wear masks 😷, wash hands thoroughly 🧼, and stay safe!
Avian Flu Adds to the Woes 🐔
As if the flu outbreak wasn't enough, Japan is also facing a surge in avian influenza. 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 avian flu outbreaks show no signs of slowing down and could potentially break records. This situation is also impacting egg prices, which have spiked by 15 percent since the start of the year 🥚💰.
What You Can Do 🙌
Stay informed and take care of your health! Follow official guidelines, practice good hygiene, and let's work together to overcome this challenging time 💪.
Reference(s):
Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
