Tourists take photo of the skyline of buildings at Tsim Sha Tsui, in Hong Kong, China, May 2, 2023. Photo by Reuters
A respiratory medicine specialist in Hong Kong has urged the public to prioritize flu vaccinations before traveling, following the death of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu.
Dr. Leung Chi-chiu advised people to avoid crowded and poorly ventilated areas, stagger travel times, wear masks, and maintain good hand hygiene, The Standard reported.
He also recommended that individuals with chronic illnesses be extra cautious, and that their travel companions take preventive measures as well.
Leung noted that many Hong Kong residents have not been exposed to the flu virus in recent years, resulting in weakened immunity and increased susceptibility to infections, especially when visiting areas with high flu activity.
His advice comes after Hsu, 49, also known as “Big S,” was confirmed dead on Sunday from influenza complicated by pneumonia while on a family vacation in Japan during the Lunar New Year holiday, The Straits Times reported.
Hsu rose to fame through popular TV dramas such as “Meteor Garden”, “Mars”, and “Summer’s Desire”.
Her personal life often made headlines, including her marriages. She was married to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei from 2011 until their divorce in 2021, and they shared two children.
In 2022, she remarried South Korean DJ Koo, just three months after her divorce from Wang.
Since the start of 2025, avian influenza has been spreading rapidly across Japan.
5,000 designated medical institutions reported 172,417 influenza patients from Jan. 6 to 12, averaging 35.02 patients per institution. This figure has surpassed the alert level of 30 for four consecutive weeks, according to Kyodo News.
