The recent passing of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu due to flu-related pneumonia has raised awareness on the dangers of influenza.
The 48-year-old was on a family trip to Japan over Chinese New Year, when she contracted the flu, which later led to pneumonia and her unfortunate passing.
According to reports, she was down with Influenza A.
Yesterday (Feb 4), rising Chinese actor Liang Youcheng was also revealed to have passed away, with some sources speculating that he too may have contracted Influenza A.
He was 27.
An insider said Youcheng initially believed he had only caught the common cold, but his condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to a central nervous system infection.
Despite emergency treatment, he passed away in the hospital on January 30. No family members were present at his side.
Central nervous system infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi, leading to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms often include fever, severe headaches and vomiting — somewhat similar to flu symptoms.
While mild cases typically recover with timely treatment, severe cases may result in paralysis, dementia, or even death.
Youcheng, who was from Sichuan, had appeared in many period dramas, often playing supporting roles like bodyguards or stunt doubles. He is best known for his roles in My Heart (2021) and Echo of Her Voice (2024).
Photos: Liang Youcheng/Weibo