Japan logs record flu cases in 2024

Total cases last year reached 317,812 as of final week of December in highest since 1999

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan logged a record number of flu cases at the end of last year, according to government data released Thursday.

The number of patients diagnosed with influenza at designated medical facilities in 2024 reached an all-time high of 317,812 cases. That is the most since since 1999.

With an average of 64.39 cases per facility among 5,000 health institutions in the last week of December, the record exceeded the alert level of 30, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

It was an increase of more than 100,000 from the previous week.

Health officials said the number of patients rose in all 47 administrative regions, with southwest Oita province hardest hit.

The swift rise in flu cases has also led to a shortage of anti-influenza medications, the report said.

Kaynak: