On May 28, 2014, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced this year’s third case of eneterovirus infection with severe complications in a 2-year-and-5-month-old boy who resides in central Taiwan. In early May, when he developed fever and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), he sought medical attention at a clinic. Two days later, when he experienced frequent convulsions and signs of meningitis, he sought further medical assistance at a large hospital. As of now, the case has recovered and been discharged. Infection with coxsackie virus A16 was confirmed in the case by Taiwan CDC. The case is this year’s first case of coxsakcie virus A16 infection with severe complications. According to the epidemiological investigation, prior to the case’s illness onset, his family member has experienced enterovirus infection symptoms, which could have been the source of the case’s infection. Hence, Taiwan CDC advises the public to ward off infection through washing hands thoroughly and frequently and seeking medical assistance at a large hospital when prodromal symptoms of severe infection develop.

Thus far this year, 3 cases of enterovirus infection with severe complications have been confirmed (2 CA2 and 1 EV71). According to surveillance data compiled by Taiwan CDC, recently, the ER consultation rate for enterovirus infection has reached as high as 12.28% and the number of eneterovirus cases reported is on the rise. Coxsackie virus A remains the dominant virus circulating in the community. On the other hand, EV 71 activity has remained low even though it is more likely to lead to severe complications. In addition, Taiwan CDC also points out that outbreaks of coxsackie A virus infection occur in Taiwan every year and different strains dominate from year to year. Overall, coxsackie A virus is not as pathogenic as enterovirus 71 and causes only mild symptoms in infected patients. The risk of developing complications by coxsackie virus A infection is comparatively lower than that by enterovirus 71 infection. The public is advised not to overworry.

Taiwan CDC once again reminds the public that infants and children aged below 5 are at increased risk of developing enterovirus infection with severe complications. As enterovirus is highly contagious and most adults who became infected develop no or mild flu-like symptoms, spreading the virus unconsciously, Taiwan CDC urges both adults and children should develop good personal hygiene habits such as washing hands properly, seeking medical attention immediately when sick, and resting at home when sick in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Taiwan CDC urges parents to pay close attention to the symptoms of the child diagnosed with enterovirus infection, if the sick child develops suspected symptoms such as persistent fever, 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 on enterovirus, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).