On January 6, 2012, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced one new case of enterovirus 71 infection with severe complications. The case is a five-year-old girl who resides in Chiayi County. On December 27, 2011, the case developed symptoms pertaining to enterovirus infection, including fever, oral ulcer, rashes on limbs, and prodromal signs of complications, including loss of appetite, decreased activity, tachycardia, and unsteady gait. Fortunately, she was promptly rushed to a large hospital for medical treatment. As of now, she is recovering in a general ward in the hospital. According to the epidemiological investigation, two family members of the case who currently go to middle school were diagnosed with enterovirus infection one to two days before the case developed her symptoms. Taiwan CDC advises both adults and children can become infected with enterovirus. Adults and older children usually experience mild or no symptoms, but even if that is the case they are still infectious and a source of transmission to infants and young children. In the face of the EV71 epidemic, both adults and children should develop good personal hygiene habits such as washing hands properly, seeking medical attention immediately when sick, resting at home when sick, and avoiding contact with infants and young children when sick in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission and risk of developing complications.

According to the surveillance data compiled by Taiwan CDC, all 56 cases of enterovirus infection with severe complications, including three deaths in children, reported last year have been caused by EV71. Although it is winter in Taiwan now, the EV71 epidemic has not abated like previous years. Currently, the epidemic remains rampant in the central and southern Taiwan. In addition, other regions of Taiwan have continued to report sporadic cases of enterovirus infection and cases with severe complications. Taiwan CDC warns that the threat of enterovirus infection remains and households with infants and young children should be more vigilant against enterovirus.

Taiwan CDC once again warns that enterovirus is highly contagious and the risk of transmission is higher at home and school, including kindergarten, child care centers and student care centers. Infants and children under the age of 5 are at the highest risk for complications. When a child in a household is diagnosed with enterovirus infection, please refrain the sick child from close contact with other children. The excrement (feces, nasal and oral secretions) of the patient shall be handled with care, and parents shall immediately wash their hands after disposing of them. In addition, parents are urged to pay close attention to the symptoms of the sick child. Once the sick child develops suspected symptoms such as drowsiness, disturbed consciousness, inactivity, flaccid paralysis, myoclonic jerk, continuous vomiting, tachypnea, and tachycardia, please take the child to a large hospital for medical attention immediately in order to ensure prompt treatment.

For more information about enterovirus, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922, operated by Taiwan CDC or visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.