On February 5, 2013, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced this year’s first case of coxsackie A infection with severe complications. The case is a one-year-and-four-month-old girl who resides in northern Taiwan. In early January, the case developed symptoms pertaining to enterovirus infection and those associated with severe complications such as fever, myoclonic jerk, unconsciousness and respiratory failure. Fortunately, she was promptly rushed to a hospital for medical treatment and has recovered and been discharged from the hospital. Most cases infected with coxsackie A virus develop mild symptoms. Hence, Taiwan CDC urges the public not to panic over enterovirus infection. In addition, Taiwan CDC advises the public to take measures to ward off infection, including washing hands thoroughly and frequently, staying at home when sick, seeking medical assistance at a large hospital when prodromal symptoms of severe infection develop.

According to the data compiled by Taiwan CDC, as of now, the ER consultation rate for enterovirus infection is still below the epidemic threshold and coxsackie virus remains the dominant virus circulating in the community. Since the large-scale outbreak of EV 71 infection that occurred last year, sporadic cases have recently occurred. Although the enterovirus season has passed, the weather in Taiwan favors enterovirus transmission and there are many different types of enteroviruses that could result in serious complications. Hence, the public is advised to stay vigilant.

Parents and caregivers of children are advised against taking children to crowded indoor spaces. In addition, both parents and children are urged to pay attention to hygiene and wash hands frequently when out in the public. As people travel and visit one another more often during the Chinese New Year holiday,  Taiwan CDC also reminds the public to clean and disinfect the environment and toys and objects children play with regularly and educate children the importance of cleanliness in maintaining health in order to prevent disease transmission. When a child is suspected of enterovirus infection, please assist the child in seeking immediate medical attention and ensure the child receive treatment according to the doctor’s instructions. If someone in the household is infected with enterovirus, please refrain the sick person from close contact with other healthy children to prevent further spread of the disease.

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 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 about enterovirus, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922, operated by Taiwan CDC or visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.