According to the surveillance data collected by the school-based surveillance system set up by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC), four weeks after the new school year started, a total of 31 cluster outbreaks of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) occurred in schools have been reported. The cluster outbreaks primarily took place in elementary and middle schools in the eastern part of Taiwan.The local health authorities have taken the necessary actions to prevent further transmission of the disease.Taiwan CDC urges the public to pay attention to their personal hygiene and advises families with infected children to react promptly by seeking immediate medical help, ensuring the sick child rest at home, handling eye discharge with care, and washing hands with soap frequently.

This week, the national average AHC incidence rate is 2.06‰.The AHC incidence rate is 0.85‰ in Taipei, 0.83‰ in the northern part of Taiwan, 0.93‰ in the central part of Taiwan, 1.82‰ in the southern part of Taiwan, 2.74‰ in the Kaohsiung and Pingtung area, and 8.33‰ in the eastern part o Taiwan.In comparison, the national average AHC incidence rates during the same week in 2008 and 2009 were respectively 0.08‰, and 0.01‰.

On the other hand, according to the surveillance data collected by the Real-time Outbreak and Disease Surveillance (RODS) System set up Taiwan CDC during the last four Sundays (week 35-38), there was a nationwide increase in the number of AHC. The consultation rates for AHC at emergency rooms reported during the last four Sundays were respectively 2.21‰, 2.63‰, 2.99‰ and 3.03‰, which are all lower than this year’s highest consultation rate for AHC at emergency rooms reported during week 27, 4.01‰.

Since the beginning of this year, Taiwan CDC has confirmed a total of 40 cluster outbreaks of AHC, including 35 that took place in schools. Laboratory tests confirmed that 18 cluster outbreaks were caused by Coxsackie virus A24. Coxsackie virus A24 was also previously responsible for school cluster outbreaks that occurred during September and October, 2007.

AHC is highly contagious. Its incubation period ranges from 12 hours to several days.The main symptoms include a gritty feeling or burning sensation in the eyes, light sensitivity, excessive tearing and increased discharge from the eyes.More severe conditions include swollen eyelids, edema or bleeding under the conjunctiva.Symptoms usually last for about 4 to 6 days.

Taiwan CDC advises people with AHC to avoid visiting public areas such as communal swimming pools. The public is urged to take measures against infection: clean hands thoroughly by following a five-step washing procedure: wet, scrub, rinse, hold and wipe, avoid rubbing eyes with hands and use clean towels, cotton swabs or tissues for wiping eyes.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.