Japan has recently announced its plan to combat avian influenza in the event of a pandemic outbreak. According to this plan, a pandemic could result in the deaths of between 170,000 and 640,000 Japanese citizens, with approximately 530,000 to 2 million people potentially requiring hospitalization.
.gif "Japan announces plan to combat avian influenza in humans 41")
As part of the strategy, the country will establish a headquarters to address the situation if the pandemic occurs, and it will empower the Ministry of Health to declare a state of emergency. Under such conditions, Japan would have the authority to close schools, mandate hospital admissions, and prohibit large gatherings.
The plan categorizes the disease into six phases, ranging from regular influenza outbreaks to a global pandemic. The current situation, where the disease is transmitting from birds to humans, is considered to be in the third phase. To combat the outbreak, Japan will increase its stockpile of Tamiflu to treat 25 million people over five days, up from the previous target of three days.
Meanwhile, another report from Dai-ichi Life Research indicates that if an avian influenza outbreak were to occur and last for a year, it could reduce Japan’s GDP by 1.4 trillion yen, equivalent to approximately 11.9 billion USD, or 0.29% of GDP.
THUY LINH (According to Reuters)
