Nearly 166,690 flu patients reported across roughly 5,000 medical facilities in Japan

In a concerning development, Japan has experienced a rapid surge in flu cases, with the central government declaring that the average number of influenza patients at thousands of designated medical institutions nationwide has reached a warning level at the fastest pace in a decade. In the week through December 10, nearly 166,690 flu patients were reported across approximately 5,000 medical facilities in Japan, averaging 33.72 people per facility. This surpassed the established warning level of 30, as specified by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. The National Institute of Infectious Diseases estimated the total number of patients nationwide during the same period to be around 1,118,000.

One factor contributing to this swift increase is believed to be lowered influenza immunity due to lockdowns and periods of social distancing. While these measures were effective in curbing the spread of COVID-19, they may have led to a decline in immune system stimulation from other pathogens, affecting the overall robustness of the immune response. Interestingly, health experts have noted that the influenza virus is spreading approximately a month earlier than usual.

The situation is further complicated by the simultaneous rise in coronavirus cases for the third consecutive week, prompting authorities to urge 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 December 17, according to the Ministry of Health. The convergence of flu and COVID-19 cases poses a significant challenge, requiring careful monitoring and public health interventions to mitigate the impact on the healthcare system and the population.