Panic buying has hit Japan, causing a shortage of flu medications in hospitals and pharmacies across the country. With flu cases soaring to record highs, the demand for medicine has skyrocketed, leaving shelves empty and citizens worried.
Since late December last year, Japan has been grappling with an unprecedented flu outbreak. According to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, an estimated 9.523 million flu cases were recorded between September 2, 2024, and January 26, 2025. Data released on January 31 highlighted the severity of the situation.
In the final week of December 2024, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare reported that approximately 317,812 patients visited about 5,000 designated medical institutions—averaging 64 cases per facility. This number far exceeds the government's warning threshold of 30 cases.
Health officials are urging everyone to take precautions: wear masks, wash hands thoroughly, and stay home if feeling unwell. Let's all do our part to keep each other safe! 🙌
Adding to the health crisis, Japan is also facing a surge in avian influenza outbreaks. In January alone, around 5 million chickens and other birds were culled across five prefectures. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries warned that the situation shows no signs of slowing down and might even break previous records.
This has also impacted egg prices, which have seen a 15% increase since the start of the year. So if you've noticed your favorite ramen shop upping its prices, now you know why! 🍜🥚
Stay informed, stay safe, and let's look out for one another during these challenging times! ❤️
Reference(s):
Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
