As the world sees a resurgence of COVID-19 variant attacks including India, Japan is facing other health crises affecting thousands of Japanese. Around 166,690 cases of flu have been reported in Japan across approximately 5,000 medical facilities, with an average of 33.72 people per facility in the week ending December 10, according to media reports.
Japan is facing a worrying increase in flu cases, and the central government has declared that the average number of influenza patients in thousands of designated medical institutions nationwide has reached a warning level at the fastest rate in a decade.
The average of 33.72 people per facility has exceeded the established warning level of 30, as set by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. The National Institute of Infectious Diseases estimates the total number of patients nationwide during the same period to be around 1,118,000.
During lockdowns and periods of social distancing, people had less exposure to common pathogens. While this helped control the spread of COVID-19, it may have led to a decline in immune system stimulation from other pathogens, potentially affecting the overall strength of the immune response.
This rapid increase is attributed to the lowered influenza immunity. Health experts have also noted that the influenza virus is spreading approximately a month earlier than usual.
Complicating matters, coronavirus cases have been increasing for the third consecutive week, prompting authorities to advise caution. There are growing concerns that both viruses could spread further as year-end and New Year’s social gatherings take place in Japan.
In response to the escalating situation, closures have been mandated for 6,382 educational facilities nationwide in the week leading up to Sunday (Dec 17), according to the Ministry of Health.
