Currently, enterovirus activity in the community remains low. However, according to the past surveillance data, enterovirus activity begins to increase around late March and reaches its peak in around the end of May and mid-June every year. Taiwan CDC urges that as pre-school children are at increased risk of developing enterovirus infection with severe complications, parents and caregivers are advised to heighten vigilance for enterovirus, maintain proper personal hygiene, and watch for the development of prodromal symptoms of severe infection in children in order to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.

According to the surveillance data compiled by Taiwan CDC, during April 9 and 15, 2017, the number of visits to outpatient services and ER for enterovirus infection in the nation was 2,789, which is still low. As of April 17, 2017, thus far this year, a total of 11 sporadic cases of EV71 infection have been confirmed in Taiwan, indicating that EV71 is currently circulating in the community. Nevertheless, all the cases are mild cases. On the other hand, so far this year, 1 case of enterovirus infection with severe complications caused by CA 2 has been confirmed. Last year, a cumulative total of 33 cases of enterovirus infection with severe complications were confirmed.

Taiwan CDC once again reminds that enterovirus is highly contagious, especially in crowded places such as households and child care facilities. Some patients develop merely mild cold-like symptoms after becoming infected, which are indiscernible and could become potential sources of infection. Hence, adults returning home from work are advised to change clothes and wash hands with soap and water before coming into contact with children. Additionally, please make sure children wash their hands with soap and water thoroughly when returning home and before having their meals in order to prevent infection.

In addition, Taiwan CDC stresses that as enterovirus infection progresses fast, when a child in a household is diagnosed with enterovirus infection, parents and child caregivers are urged to refrain the sick child from close contact with other children to prevent further spread of the disease and watch for the development of prodromal symptoms of severe enterovirus infection in the sick child 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).