By Christian Abbott
Copyright birminghammail
Japan has seen 6,000 hospitalisations and the closure of over 200 schools as an influenza outbreak rips through the nation. The country’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) announced on October 3 that the country had entered the flu season. This was the second-earliest start in two decades, arriving five weeks earlier than in 2024. Read more: Major UK bank offering free heating appliance worth ‘£11k’ In the week to 5 October, cases rose to 6,013, a massive 50% increase from the previous week. Professor Yoko Tsukamoto of Hokkaido University of Health Sciences, pointing to how travel facilitates viral changes, said: “The flu season has started really early this year, but in the changing global environment this might become a more common scenario.” On X, users are starting to fear that the spread of influenza could lead to a similar scenario as the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020. They wrote: “New pandemic coming? Japan declares nationwide flu outbreak, over 4000 hospitalised,” referencing a rise in hospital admissions and more than 135 school closures by 3 October. Another added: “Reports indicate that Japan is experiencing the flu season about five weeks earlier than normal, raising concerns about changes in the behaviour of the virus in post-pandemic world.” It comes as a GP is warning Brits to start stocking up on household essentials as the UK moves deeper into the winter months. As the temperature continues to drop, Covid-19 cases continue to rise, with infections risen to “medium levels” according to the UK Health Security Agency. Dr Roger Henderson, a GP and spokesperson for Olbas, is urging UK households to prepare, as the virus has risen by 69% in a month. He said: “Stock up on basics like paracetamol or ibuprofen, tissues, lozenges, cough syrup, natural decongestants, rehydration salts, and a thermometer. “Make sure you’ve got hand soap, hand gel, and some masks if someone gets sick and if you can, try to have a good airflow at home (open a window for a short time or use an air filter). “Try to plan ahead for being able to get food or medicine should you need to stay at home if you are unwell.”