According to the statistics compiled by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC), enterovirus season continues and during the past four weeks, the numbers of people seeking healthcare for enterovirus infection respectively are 13,430, 10,938, 13,109, and 13,843. The ER consultation rate for enterovirus infection during Week 44 is 5.93‰, which is about 5.6% higher than that during the previous week and above the epidemic threshold (4.35‰). Currently, coxsackie A 6 virus is currently the dominant strain circulating in the community. Thus far this year, 5 severe cases of enterovirus infection have been confirmed, including 3 caused by CB 5 virus and 2 caused by CA 16 virus. Among the severe cases, two died. One died from infection with CB 5 virus and one died from infection with CA 16 virus.

On the other hand, according to the statistics collected by the Taiwan CDC’s surveillance system, since September this year, specimens tested positive for enterovirus 71 have been identified in the community. The majority of the EV71 cases were reported in Yilan County. Previously, large-scale enterovirus 71 outbreaks occurred in Taiwan in 2008, 2011 and 2012. Since then, no such large-scale EV71 outbreaks have occurred. During this year’s first wave of enterovirus outbreak that occurred in April and June, no significant number of cases was reported. Hence, it is determined that most children are not immune to the virus. Although since schools reopened in September, the second wave of enterovirus outbreak has occurred and most cases experienced mild symptoms, the public is still urged to heighten vigilance for enterovirus. Taiwan CDC will continue to closely monitor enterovirus activity.

In addition, EV-D68 cases have been reported in Taiwan since 2007, which indicates that the virus circulates in the community and a certain number of people are infected with the virus. Moreover, the fact that Taiwanese people frequent Europe and America increases the risk of the occurrence of sporadic EV-D68 cases and EV-D68 clusters in Taiwan. To ward off infection, Taiwan CDC advises the public to heighten vigilance for enterovirus, practice good personal hygiene and wash hands frequently with soap and water, and at-risk individuals, including children, immunocompromised people and people with history of asthma and other medical conditions, are urged to pay attention to their own health.

Taiwan CDC reminds that enterovirus is highly contagious, especially in crowded places such as households and child care facilities. Therefore, childcare center personnel and parents are advised to pay attention to the health of infants and children they care for, wash hands frequently to effectively reduce the risk of enterovirus infection, and watch for the development of prodromal symptoms of severe enterovirus infection in children such as drowsiness, disturbed consciousness, inactivity, flaccid paralysis, myoclonic jerk, continuous vomiting, tachypnea, and tachycardia to ensure timely treatment. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).