As the enterovirus epidemic continues and the winter vacation is coming to an end, increased interaction among schoolchildren after schools reopen will likely increase the transmission of enterovirus at home and at school. The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) advises childcare center personnel, parents, and schoolchildren to pay attention to personal hygiene and wash hands frequently to effectively decrease the chance of enterovirus infection. In the face of the EV71 epidemic, both adults and children should develop good personal hygiene habits, including 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 and ensure prompt recovery.

On February 3, 2012, Taiwan CDC announced one new case of enterovirus 71 infection with severe complications. The case is a one-year-old boy who resides on an offshore island. The case has recovered and been discharged from the hospital. On January 20, 2012, the case developed symptoms pertaining to enterovirus infection, including fever, oral ulcer, rashes on limbs, and prodromal signs of complications, including myoclonic jerks, tachycardia, and high blood pressure. Fortunately, he was promptly rushed to a large hospital for medical treatment. According to the epidemiological investigation, other children in the family were diagnosed with enterovirus infection before the case developed his symptoms. Therefore, it is thought that the infection was being passed from one family member to another.

According to Taiwan CDC, as of February 2, 2012, 8 cases enterovirus infection with severe complications caused by EV71 have been reported this year, which is rare during past winters. Taiwan CDC warns since no large-scale outbreak of EV71 has occurred in Taiwan for more than three years, most children below the age of three have not developed the antibody against enterovirus 71, and the likelihood of a large-scale outbreak of EV71 to occur this year around March to April is getting high. Taiwan CDC advises 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 kindergartens, 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 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.