😷 Japan is battling a massive flu outbreak, and it's causing some serious headaches—literally and figuratively! Panic buying has led to a shortage of flu meds, leaving many scrambling for relief.
Since late December, Japan has seen flu cases skyrocket, hitting record highs. Hospitals and pharmacies are running low on medications, with some places emptying out their shelves. Talk about a winter not-so-wonderland! ❄️
Between September 2, 2024, and January 26, 2025, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases estimated a whopping 9.523 million flu cases. That's like the entire population of Tokyo getting the sniffles! 🤧
During the final week of December 2024, Japan logged the highest weekly flu cases since records began in 1999. Over 5,000 medical institutions reported more than 317,000 patients—averaging around 64 cases each. That's double the government's warning level!
With flu meds flying off the shelves, uneven stock distribution and hoarding by some medical institutions have only made things worse. It's like everyone decided to binge-watch 'Outbreak,' but in real life. 🦠
Health officials are urging everyone to mask up and wash those hands like there's no tomorrow. 🧼✋ Let's do our part to stop the spread!
Adding to the health woes, Japan is also dealing with avian influenza outbreaks. In January alone, about 5 million chickens and birds were culled across five prefectures. The Ministry of Agriculture warns that things could get even worse, potentially breaking records. 🐔❌
The impact doesn't stop there. Egg prices have cracked under pressure, jumping by 15% since the start of the year. Say goodbye to cheap omelets! 🍳
Stay safe out there, and remember: sharing is caring—except when it comes to the flu! 😉
Reference(s):
Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
