Pandemic fears soar as huge country battles massive outbreak ahead of winter | World | News
Japan is facing a severe flu outbreak that has hospitalized more than 6,000 people and closed more than 200 schools, raising international concerns about the risk of a new epidemic as winter quickly approaches. The country’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) announced on October 3 that the country had entered flu season; This is the second-earliest start in two decades and five weeks earlier than 2024.
Cases jumped to 6,013 in the week to 5 October; exceeded the epidemic threshold of one patient per healthcare facility, a 50% increase from the previous week. Since the beginning of September, the number of infections has surpassed 20,000 and 75 deaths have been recorded, mostly among the elderly and children under five. The H3N2 type, which usually causes high fever and respiratory complications, is dominant, and experts attribute this increase to the weakening of the immune system after Covid-19, changing climate patterns and increased international travel.
Noting how travel facilitates viral changes, Professor Yoko Tsukamoto from Hokkaido University of Health Sciences said: “The flu season started really early this year, but in the changing global environment this may become a more common scenario.”
Similar early outbreaks in Australia and Malaysia indicate a shift towards year-round spread.
Alarm is spreading on social media as users draw parallels to the Covid era. The One X post asked: “New epidemic coming? Japan declares nationwide flu epidemic, more than 4000 people hospitalized.”
Another noted: “Reports indicate that Japan is experiencing flu season about five weeks earlier than usual, raising concerns about changes in the virus’s behavior in the post-pandemic world.” Across Japan, 28 of 47 prefectures exceeded epidemic levels, placing particular pressure on children’s wards.
In its October 10 update, MHLW called for a measured response to the rise: “Everyone should take preventative measures such as hand washing and vaccination.”
Visitors are advised to wear masks in crowded areas and wash their hands frequently, while free vaccinations have been expanded for the elderly and vulnerable groups; However, participation is around 40 percent due to the fatigue brought on by the pandemic years.
According to MHLW, which emphasizes that there is no need to panic, a full-scale epidemic is likely to occur between the end of December and February.
Emphasizing the need for targeted protection, Prof Tsukamoto said: “For most healthy individuals, influenza can be uncomfortable but not dangerous. However, for sensitive groups, early vaccination is very important.
“People need to take common-sense precautions, get vaccinated, wash their hands regularly and prevent the spread of infection.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring without warning as stockpiles of antivirals such as Tamiflu increase and additional personnel are mobilized, but experts warn that the situation in Japan could spread further afield.
This epidemic is not yet similar to the events of 2020 and Covid.
But as cases continue to double each week, Professor Tsukamoto’s advice matters: in an interconnected world, one country’s flu crisis can spark a wider crisis. Vaccination, masking and basic hygiene remain vital.
