Hong Kong medical experts have advised residents planning to travel overseas to get flu vaccines ahead of departure and to promptly seek local medical assistance if symptoms worsen while abroad.

The experts have also recommended that people with chronic illnesses should postpone journeys to regions with high flu activity, or, if such trips essential, take precautions such as wearing masks and noting down contacts of local medical institutions in case of emergency.

Their warnings came in the wake of the sudden passing of the renowned Taiwan-born actress Barbie Hsu Shiyuan, better known as “Big S”. She passed away from flu-induced pneumonia during a trip to Japan — news that sent shockwaves across Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland on Monday.

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Speaking to China Daily on Tuesday, Hong Kong respiratory specialist Leung Chi-chiu warned that flu is not a common cold and can lead to severe complications like septicemia, even for healthy young people.

Like many other parts of the northern hemisphere, Hong Kong entered the influenza season in early January, and the seasonal influenza activity remains at a high level.

During the first four weeks of the influenza season, the city reported 122 deaths due to influenza. The number of severe and death cases related to flu is higher than the same period in the previous influenza season, and over 70 percent of them had not been vaccinated, according to the government.

Leung recommended that people with upcoming overseas trips should get flu vaccines two week prior to their departure and wear masks while traveling.

Leung advised that high-risk groups, such as the elderly, children as well as patients with diabetes, heart diseases or chronic respiratory conditions, should avoid travel to areas with high flu activity.

If such trips are essential, travelers are recommended to note down emergency hotlines and the locations of healthcare facilities in their destinations.

Leung also emphasized that travelers should not solely rely on rapid tests to tell if they have the flu as test kits could provide inaccurate results early in the infection. Seeking professional medical advice would also be necessary if the condition deteriorates, added Leung.

Travelers are also advised to steer clear of crowded or poorly ventilated areas and maintain good hygiene practices.

In a radio program on Tuesday, Lau Yu-lung, chair of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases, said flu activity in neighboring regions such as Japan and South Korea is higher than in Hong Kong, and the city’s influenza cases may rise in the coming two or three weeks as many residents are returning from overseas trips.

Although Hong Kong has seen an increase in the number of hospital admissions due to influenza, he stressed that the city’s healthcare system is still adequately equipped to cope.

Also in a radio program, Mike Kwan Yat-wah, president of the Asian Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases, said flu cases among children may rise as they are returning to school after the Chinese New Year holiday.

Kwan urged parents to trust in science and promptly schedule their children’s vaccinations to prevent the risk of complications like encephalitis after infection.

As the previous influenza season lasted for 28 weeks, it is not too late to get jabbed now, noted Kwan.

In a statement released on Monday, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said over 98 percent of local kindergartens and schools have completed or are arranging flu vaccination outreach activities, a higher proportion than last year.

However, the flu vaccination’s coverage rate of kids aged from six months to two years old was still lower than those of other age groups.

Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, emphasized that the elderly and children are at greater risk of becoming infected and developing complications, and vaccination would minimize the risk of serious complications and death after infection.

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Tsui also advised outbound travelers to check the influenza situation at their destination before departure and take protective measures.

Typical symptoms of flu include sudden onset of fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and headache. Most of those who become infected will usually recover within two weeks. But for high-risk groups, flu can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, sepsis, and encephalitis, leading to hospitalization and even death.

To ease the symptoms, patients are advised to stay home and rest, drink plenty of water, or use antiviral agents properly under prescriptions if necessary. High-risk people or those with worse symptoms should seek medical advice immediately, according to the guidance issued by the Centre for Health Protection.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com