On November 18, 2011, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced two new cases of enterovirus 71 infection with severe complications. The two cases are a five-year-and-nine-month-old girl who resides in Chiayi County and a five- month-old boy who resides in Tainan City.They respectively developed symptoms pertaining to enterovirus infection such as fever, oral ulcer and skin rash, as well as symptoms associated with severe complications such as inactivity, vomiting, myoclonic jerk, and tachycardia on November 8 and 9.Fortunately, they were both rushed to a hospital for medical treatment prior to developing complications.Both were first treated at the intensive care unit and then transferred to a general ward.They have both recovered and one of them has been charged.According to surveillance data collected by Taiwan CDC, the ER consultation rate for enterovirus infection, the number of enterovirus 71 infection with severe complications, and the number of mild cases of enterovirus 71 infection are all highest in southern Taiwan when compared to other areas in the nation.Thus far, a total of twenty-six cases of enterovirus 71 infection with severe complications, including three deaths, have been reported in the nation.Mild cases of enterovirus infection have been reported in 15 cities and counties throughout the nation.Taiwan CDC warns since no large-scale outbreak of EV71 has occurred in Taiwan for three years, most children below the age of three have not developed the antibody against enterovirus 71, and the likelihood of a large-scale outbreak of EV71 to occur next year is getting high.In addition, as a significant number of enterovirus cases have been reported, Taiwan CDC urges parents of infants and young children and physicians to remain vigilant against enterovirus infection.

Parents are advised against taking children to crowded indoor spaces and encouraged to take their children to the outdoor.In addition, both parents and children are urged to pay attention to hygiene and wash hands frequently when out in the public.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 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 handled with care, 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 in order to ensure prompt treatment.

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