On March 10, 2009, Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) confirmed 2 new cases of enterovirus infections with severe complications, and both were children aged 2.5 years and 3 years, respectively.Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of enterovirus 71 in both cases.Both cases live in Southern Taiwan and attend the same nursery class at the same nursery school. The nursery school has been closed for 10 days since March 6, 2009. Health officials have asked contacts to watch for similar symptoms. Taiwan CDC urges families with infants and young children, daycare centers, and kindergartens to observe good hygiene practice such as frequent hand washing in order to reduce the risk of enterovirus infection.In addition, when children develop symptoms suspicious for severe infections, they should be rushed to hospital immediately.

Taiwan CDC indicates that enterovirus is highly contagious, and it is the most easily transmissible in settings like kindergartens, daycare centers, and after-school care centers due to closeness and frequency of interaction among children.Children under the age of 3 are especially at risk for infection because of their comparatively weaker immunity and the lack of proper personal hygiene. They can easily become infected with enterovirus through hugging and kissing adults and playing with other children.Hence, the public is urged to practice good personal hygiene for themselves, their infants and young children.To decrease the chance of enterovirus infection, adults are advised to wash both hands correctly before hugging and feeding their infants and young children.

Taiwan CDC reminds parents to let their children stay at home and avoid school if the children are diagnosed with enterovirus infection. Avoid having sick children hang around with other children to prevent further transmission.Handle the excrement of patient, including feces, and buccal and nasal secretions, with care and remember to wash hands immediately after handling such excrement.

Parents should be monitored for prodromal complications such as drowsiness, change in consciousness, decreased activity, weakness of limbs, myoclonic jerks, continued vomiting, prolonged fever, anxiety, neck stiffness, paralysis of limbs, tachypnea or tachycardia. If any of the aforementioned symptoms develop in children, please refer the children to hospitals as soon as possible.

If daycare centers and kindergartens need health education materials about enterovirus, please visit the Taiwan CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov.tw) to download the materials.For more information about enterovirus, please call the consultation hotline, 1922, operated by Taiwan CDC or visit the Taiwan CDC website.