Why Flu Is Raging Across East Asia – A Looming Health Crisis

A severe seasonal flu outbreak is sweeping across East Asia, overwhelming hospitals, depleting medical supplies, and raising alarming concerns about the region’s preparedness for public health crises.

Japan’s Worst Flu Outbreak in Decades

Japan is facing its worst flu epidemic since records began in 1999, with infections skyrocketing. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare reported approximately 317,000 positive cases in just one week at 5,000 medical facilities—more than double the warning threshold of 30 cases per facility. Since the flu season began in September 2024, Japan has seen over 6 million cases.

Experts attribute this surge to increased travel during the holiday season and reduced immunity due to prolonged COVID-19 restrictions, which limited exposure to common pathogens. However, the crisis has been exacerbated by a critical shortage of antiviral drugs like Tamiflu. Some pharmaceutical companies have halted distribution, with supplies not expected to resume until late February.

Tragically, the sudden death of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu from flu-related pneumonia has heightened concerns about the disease’s unpredictability, particularly for those with underlying conditions. This underscores the urgent need for stronger flu surveillance, timely vaccinations, and better stockpiling of essential medicines.

South Korea’s Flu Crisis – The Worst Since 2016

South Korea is also grappling with an unprecedented outbreak, with flu cases jumping 136% in just a few weeks. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported a shocking 73.9 cases per 1,000 medical visits in January—nearing the record high of 86.2 from 2016. Alarmingly, teenagers aged 13 to 18 are the most affected, with 151.3 cases per 1,000 people, a staggering 17.6 times higher than last year.

While officials have assured the public that no dangerous mutations have been detected, the sheer magnitude of cases is straining hospitals and depleting medical resources. The government is urging vaccinations, yet vaccine availability remains a major concern.

Taiwan’s Healthcare System on the Brink

Taiwan is facing a public health emergency, as demand for flu vaccinations has skyrocketed following Barbie Hsu’s passing. Between Jan. 1 and Jan. 20, 24,700 vaccine doses were administered daily, pushing vaccine stockpiles to dangerously low levels. As of early February, only 90,000 doses remain, raising fears of a potential shortage if the outbreak worsens.

Adding to the crisis, major hospitals in Taiwan are collapsing under patient surges. Emergency departments are operating at 300% capacity, forcing doctors and nurses into gruelling shifts and putting patient safety at serious risk. Some hospitals have seen a 150% surge in flu cases, forcing medical staff to make difficult triage decisions.

A doctor at one overwhelmed hospital explained:
“When a hospital designed for 50 patients is suddenly treating 100, the system breaks. Patients who need care are left waiting, and our doctors are reaching their psychological breaking point. Some are even considering leaving emergency medicine altogether.”

Hong Kong Braces for a Prolonged Flu Season

Hong Kong’s flu outbreak is escalating, with cases surging after the Lunar New Year as people return to work and school. Dr. Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, head of the Centre for Health Protection, warned that the flu season could extend until April, significantly raising the risk of school and workplace outbreaks. The city’s high level of international travel further increases the risk of cross-border transmission, making containment efforts even more challenging.

A Regional Public Health Emergency – Are Governments Doing Enough?

The current flu outbreak exposes critical weaknesses in East Asia’s healthcare preparedness. Governments across the region failed to anticipate the scale of the outbreak, resulting in severe drug shortages, overburdened hospitals, and vaccine supply struggles. The fact that a common seasonal virus is causing such widespread disruption raises serious concerns about the region’s ability to handle future pandemics.

Health authorities must act immediately by:

• Ensuring sufficient vaccine supply and encouraging at-risk populations to get vaccinated.
• Stockpiling antiviral medications to prevent future shortages.
• Investing in healthcare infrastructure to avoid system collapse during outbreaks.
• Enhancing public health awareness about flu risks, especially for vulnerable groups.

Without urgent intervention, the situation may deteriorate further, leaving millions vulnerable to a virus that, while preventable, is proving devastating due to systemic failures.

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Source: Vietnam Insider