Holidaymakers are being warned against going to Japan after record high levels of influenza were reported. In the last month, an average of 66,132 new cases have been reported, with hospitals and local clinics now said to be at full capacity.
During the last week of 2024, a whopping 317,000 new cases were recorded – a new record for the country. It has also bee n confirmed that as of January 26 there are a whopping 9.52million confirmed cases of the virus in Japan.
And it is also being reported that legendary Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu died aged just 48 this week after complications suffered from the virus.
Respiratory disease specialist Dr. Leung Chi-chiu warned: “The warning signs have been obvious for months, yet there has been a dangerous underestimation of influenza’s risks. We cannot be complacent any longer. Japan is likely the opening salvo in what could be a virulent worldwide rampage by these highly mutable strains.”
He went on to warn that it could get worse . . . worldwide. He said: “The warning signs have been obvious for months, yet there has been a dangerous underestimation of influenza’s risks. We cannot be complacent any longer. Japan is likely the opening salvo in what could be a virulent worldwide rampage by these highly mutable strains.”
And Dr Matsuyama Masaharu, Chair of the Okayama Prefectural Medical Association officially labelled it as “a crisis”.
The chaos has seen pharmacies running out of flue medication, with government health officials telling the population to wear masks and wash their hands – a call back to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
And Dr Jade Boonyawongwiroj, assistant director of Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital in neighbouring Thailand warned that travelling to Japan should be “avoided”.
The UK's official guidance is that while “no travel can be guaranteed safe,” there are currently no warnings placed on travelling to the country.
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