Photo:Sina Weibo

Following the death of Barbie Hsu (Hsu Shiyuan, also known as Big S), a renowned Taiwan-born actress and TV host, which was partly attributed to influenza, discussions about the flu in Japan have surged on Chinese social media. Netizens are sharing their experiences with flu infections in Japan. Discussions are also emerging about Japan's treatment of flu patients.

Hsu reportedly succumbed to pneumonia following the flu while traveling in Japan with her family. 

She was infected with the flu while attending a friend's event, according to Mirror Media, a media outlet based in the island of Taiwan. It reported that even after arriving in Japan, she couldn't stop coughing and developed symptoms of lethargy. She didn't leave the hotel for several days. During this period, the ambulance was called twice, but the golden treatment period was still missed. She passed away Sunday morning in the hospital.

After the passing of Hsu, topics related to the severity of the flu in Japan has been trending on Chinese social media. For example, a post with the hashtag "Japan's influenza" has been viewed 21.11 million times on RedNote as of press time. Moreover, another post with the hashtag "Japanese hospital suggested they are out of stock of medicine and urged patients to go back home" has been on the hot research list on China's X-like platform Sina Weibo Tuesday afternoon, with more than 13.77 million views.

Other posts related to Japan's treatment of flu patients also garnered wide discussion on Chinese social media. Many netizens shared their experience of how they got influenza in Japan. 

Shuting, a Chinese traveler who visited Japan in early January, told the Global Times that she had heard about the flu outbreak in Japan before her departure. "Most Japanese people were taking protective measures, such as wearing masks. Tourist spots, hotels and restaurants had posted notices advising the public on how to protect themselves from the flu," she said. 

During her trip, Shuting also contracted the flu. Fortunately, with the help of the manager of the hotel, she was promptly admitted to a nearby hospital. When she visited a small hospital, she noticed that most of the patients were coughing.

A Chinese resident who goes by the name Brian told the Global Times that the flu epidemic in Kyoto, where he lives, began around last December. Once patients are confirmed to be infected with the flu, they can obtain medication from small clinics. If their condition worsens, they are referred to larger hospitals.

Japan saw a record 64.39 influenza patients per clinic, on average, in the final week of December, the country's health ministry said, confirming the highest number of reported cases since ministry records began in 1999, the Japan Times reported on January 10. 

In the week through December 29, there were a total of 317,812 reported cases of the flu, which is nearly three times the number from the same period in 2023. The average number of cases per clinic jumped from 42.66 the week before, according to the Japan Times. 

Since late December 2024, when the number of influenza cases in Japan reached a record high, some medical institutions and pharmacies have experienced shortages of treatment medications, Japanese media Nikkei reported on Monday. 

Nikkei noted that the direct reason for the shortage is a delay in shipments from manufacturers; however, the total shipment volume during this period actually exceeded the number of patients. Some believe that some facilities over-ordered, leading to an imbalance in inventory. In preparation for the next outbreak, the government is being urged to take measures.

Despite Hsu's death and the influenza outbreak in Japan, Chinese travelers remain undeterred in their travel plans. An employee at Beijing-based Guangda travel agency told the Global Times that, following the news, the number of travelers planning to travel to Japan has not significantly changed. However, there has been an increase in inquiries about travel risks, medical insurance, recommended medications and how Japan's flu epidemic compares to previous flu waves in China.

When asked if Japan's influenza will affect China due to frequent people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, Li Tongzeng, the chief physician of the infection department at Beijing You'an Hospital, told the Global Times that the possibility is slim. Both Japan and China are experiencing flu outbreaks caused by the same strain. Therefore, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on China. Additionally, the virus outbreak in Japan already peaked in December and the number is going down, which is why it is unlikely to have a major impact on  China, Li explained.

Li also noted that the case of Hsu is particularly concerning as she reportedly has certain underlying health conditions. Li cautioned that travel and jet lag can lead to fatigue and weaken the body's defenses, urging overseas travelers to exercise heightened caution regarding flu infections.