On June 22, 2012, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced the first death from enterovirus 71 infection with severe complications. The case is a 5-month-old boy who resided in southern Taiwan. On June 11, when he sought medical attention at a clinic due to fever and oral ulcer, he was diagnosed with enterovirus infection. On June 12, when his symptoms persisted, he was hospitalized for further treatment. On the next day, he experienced prodromal signs of complications such as decreased activity and myoclonic jerks. On June 14, when his conditions rapidly worsened, he was transferred to another large hospital for treatment in the intensive care unit. On June 21, he died. According to the epidemiological investigation, the family members residing in the same household and the children being taken care of by the same nanny have not developed related symptoms.

In addition, Taiwan CDC announced seven new cases of enterovirus 71 infection with severe complications. The cases respectively are a four-year-and-four-month-old boy who resides in northern Taiwan, an eight-month-old girl, a one-year-and-four-month-old boy, a one-year-and-six-month-old boy, and a two-year-and-seven-month-old boy who reside in central Taiwan, a two-year-old boy and a two-year-and-nine-month-old boy who reside in southern Taiwan. As of June 22, a total of 78 cases of enterovirus infection with severe complications have been reported this year, including 24 cases reported in southern Taiwan and 21 cases reported in northern Taiwan. Of the cases, 76 were infected with enterovirus 71, one was infected with coxsackie A2 virus and one was infected with echovirus. As we are still at the peak of the enterovirus season, eneterovirus 71 activity continues to persist and cases of enterovirus 71 infection with severe complications continue to occur. Both the public and physicians are urged to remain vigilant against enterovirus infection.

Taiwan CDC once again warns that enterovirus is highly contagious and the risk of transmission is higher at home and 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. Child care facilities are advised to reinforce the importance of frequent hand washing and good hand washing technique for all children, clean and disinfect the environment regularly, and follow the government’s policies to report cases and suspend classes accordingly. Prompt treatment is crucial since complications develop quickly. 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. Once 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 immediately in order to ensure timely treatment.

For more information on enterovirus, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922, or 0800-024582 if calling from a cell phone, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.