Japan is grappling with a severe flu outbreak that has led to unprecedented panic buying and subsequent shortages of essential flu medications. Since flu cases surged to a record high in late December, hospitals and pharmacies across the nation have struggled to keep up with demand.
Data from Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases reveals that between September 2, 2024, and January 26, 2025, the country experienced approximately 9.523 million flu cases. The final week of December 2024 alone saw the highest weekly caseload since record-keeping began in 1999, with about 317,812 patients reported across 5,000 designated medical institutions—averaging 64.39 cases per facility, significantly exceeding the government's warning threshold of 30.
China Media Group attributes the medication shortages to uneven stock distribution and excessive hoarding by certain medical institutions. In response to the escalating crisis, Japanese health officials have repeatedly urged citizens to adopt precautions such as wearing masks and practicing thorough handwashing to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Adding to the nation's challenges, Japan is also experiencing a surge in avian influenza outbreaks. In January, around 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 continue to worsen, potentially breaking existing records. The ministry also reported a 15 percent increase in egg prices since the beginning of the year, impacting consumers nationwide.
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Panic buying causes drug shortages in Japan amid flu outbreak
cgtn.com
