According to the data collected by the RODS surveillance system, the physician consultation rate of enterovirus infection has continuously increased over the recent four weeks. The emergency room visit rate of last week was 6.66%, which exceeds the warning limit (2.73-5.24%). Since enterovirus season is starting, the emergency room visit rates in central region, eastern region, and northern region of Taiwan as well as Taipei have respectively exceeded the national average rate. It is estimated that the peak of the epidemic will occur in mid-June or late June. Most of the virus strains isolated this year is Coxsackie A virus, accounting for 84% of the positive samples. Taiwan CDC urges the public, especially families, educational institutions and nursery institutions with children, to pay attention to personal hygiene and the health of children, and wash hands frequently to reduce the chance of infection. If a sick child developed suspected symptoms, please take the child to a large hospital for immediate medical treatment.
As of May 3, 2010, a total of 7 cases of enterovirus infection with severe complication cases have been confirmed, while a total of 15 cases were confirmed during the same period last year. However, the epidemic of mild enterovirus infection this year is more severe than that last year. Taiwan CDC urges the public to stay alert and be cautious of enterovirus infection. Taiwan CDC will continue to closely monitor the epidemic trend of enterovirus infection.
Taiwan CDC advises parents to let their child rest at home if the child has been infected with enterovirus in order to avoid contacts with other children in close proximity and transmitting the virus. The excrement (feces, nasal and oral secretions) of all patients shall be carefully handled, 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, if the sick child develops suspected symptoms such as persistent fever, drowsiness, disturbed consciousness, inactivity, flaccid paralysis, myoclonic jerk, continuous vomiting, tachypnea, and tachycardia. Once the sick child experiences the aforementioned symptoms, please take the child to a large hospital for medical attention immediately. For any questions or further information on infectious diseases, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline 1922, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw