Actress' death casts spotlight on flu risk

The sudden death of a renowned Taiwan actress has once again sounded the alarm on the life-threatening risks of influenza for vulnerable groups and people with preexisting illnesses, medical experts said.

Barbie Hsu — also known as "Big S" — who was famous for her leading role in the 2001 television drama Meteor Garden, died of flu-induced pneumonia during a recent family holiday in Japan, her younger sister Dee Hsu said in a statement released through her agent on Monday.

"She may have underestimated the severity of the flu," said Li Tongzeng, chief physician at the infectious disease department of Beijing YouAn Hospital, in a social media post on Monday evening. "People with underlying health conditions should receive antiviral treatment promptly after contracting the virus, get adequate rest, closely monitor their condition and seek hospitalization at the first signs of severe symptoms."