The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced that enterovirus activity in Taiwan has recently continued to increase. Since the beginning of this semester, enterovirus activity has been higher than the epidemic threshold for two consecutive weeks. Nevertheless, not many new severe cases have been reported. According to the surveillance data compiled by Taiwan CDC, during October 23 and 29, 2016, the number of visits to outpatient services and ER for enterovirus infection in the nation was 13,143, which is 18.3% up from that reported during the previous week (11,109). Currently, coxsackie A virus is the dominant strain circulating in the community. Thus far this year, as of October 31, 151 sporadic cases of EV71 infection, including 129 mild cases, 1 suspected severe case, and 21 severe cases, have been confirmed.

The new severe case of enterovirus infection confirmed last week in a 6-year-old child who resides in northern Taiwan was caused by CA 4. Beginning October 8, the case subsequently developed symptoms, including fever, herpangina, muscle twitching, and leg weakness. The case was hospitalized and reported to the health authority by the hospital. Due to timely diagnosis and treatment, as of now, the case has recovered and been discharged from the hospital. So far this year, a cumulative total of 26 severe cases of enterovirus infection, including 21 caused by EV 71, 2 caused by CA 4 and 1 caused by CA 5, 1 caused by CA 6, and 1 caused by CB 3, and 1 died.

According to the epidemiological investigation, several students attending the same kindergarten with the case have recently become infected with enterovirus and classes have been suspended. Therefore, it might be possible that the case had become infected at the kindergarten. In addition, the case’s brother who resides in the same household had also sought medical attention after developing herpangina and was diagnosed with enterovirus infection. The other family members have not developed enterovirus symptoms. Taiwan CDC once again reminds that enterovirus is highly contagious, especially in crowded places such as households and child care facilities. Childcare facilities are urged 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. Adults who return home from work are advised to change clothes and wash hands with soap and water before coming into contact with children. Additionally, please make sure children wash their hands with soap and water thoroughly when returning home and before having their meals in order to prevent infection.

Taiwan CDC reminds that when a child in a household is diagnosed with enterovirus infection, parents and child caregivers are urged to refrain the sick child from close contact with other children to prevent further spread of the disease and watch for the development of prodromal symptoms of severe enterovirus infection in the sick child such as drowsiness, disturbed consciousness, inactivity, flaccid paralysis, myoclonic jerk, continuous vomiting, tachypnea, and tachycardia to ensure timely treatment. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).