On July 16, 2010, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced one new case of enterovirus 71 infection with severe complication this year. The case is a two-year-and-ten-month-old male child who resides in Taipei City. He developed symptoms such as fever, skin rash, ataxia, tachycardia and myoclonic jerks, and was hospitalized on July 4. He is currently stable and receiving treatment in an intensive care unit. According to the surveillance data compiled by Taiwan CDC, a total of 15 cases of enterovirus infection with severe complication have been confirmed and 12 of them have been discharged. All 15 cases were confirmed as enterovirus 71 infection.

Taiwan CDC urges the public to take precautions at home to avoid enterovirus infection as the peak season of enterovirus infection set in and sporadic cases had occurred.Taiwan CDC recommends taking the following steps to prevent enterovirus infection at home: 1. Strengthen the immune system by having a balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate rest, 2. Maintain good personal hygiene, change clothes upon returning home, and wash hands properly, 3. Ensure adequate environmental hygiene and ventilation, make homemade 500 ppm disinfectant by mixing 100cc bleach with 10 liters of water to disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, table and chairs, and wash toys regularly.In addition, avoid visiting crowded or poorly ventilated places to lower the risk of infection.

Taiwan CDC warns that enterovirus is highly contagious and the risk of transmission is higher at home and at school, including kindergarten, 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 carefully handled, 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, if the sick child develops suspected symptoms such as drowsiness, disturbed consciousness, inactivity, flaccid paralysis, myoclonic jerk, continuous vomiting, tachypnea, and tachycardia. Once the sick child experiences the aforementioned symptoms, please take the child to a large hospital for medical attention immediately.

For any questions or further information on enterovirus infection, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline 1922, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at