August Infant Contracted Enterovirus, Suffered Convulsions, Admitted to ICU, Now Discharged Home

(Central News Agency Reporter Shen Pei-yao Taipei, July 7) Enterovirus infections are on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced today that 7,522 outpatient and emergency visits were recorded last week, an increase of 6.8% from the previous week. A new case of severe enterovirus type D68 infection involved an 8-month-old male infant who experienced fever and convulsions, was temporarily admitted to the ICU, and after two weeks of hospitalization, improved and was discharged home.

According to the latest weekly epidemic report from the Ministry of Health and Welfare's CDC, there have been a cumulative total of 6 severe cases this year (including 1 death), which is lower than the same period last year (9 cases). These include 4 cases infected with type D68, and 1 case each of Coxsackievirus A4 and A16.

Li Chia-lin, deputy director of the epidemic command center, stated at a regular epidemic briefing today that during the 26th week (June 28 - July 4), outpatient and emergency visits totaled 7,522, a 6.8% increase from the previous week (7,044). The predominant enterovirus in the community is Coxsackievirus A6, followed by Coxsackievirus A4 and enterovirus type D68.

Neighboring countries including Vietnam, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong have also seen a continuous upward trend in recent epidemics. Li Chia-lin indicated that Vietnam's epidemic is particularly severe, with approximately 55,000 reported cases from mid-December last year to June this year, primarily caused by enterovirus type 71. Severe cases and deaths have been continuously reported, especially in southern provinces and cities such as Ho Chi Minh City.

Regarding the newly added case of severe enterovirus infection, CDC epidemiologist Lin Yung-ching explained that it involved a male infant under one year old from central Taiwan. Symptoms began with a runny nose in late May, followed by a high fever in early June. The infant sought medical attention at a clinic, but as symptoms persisted, he was taken to the emergency room and admitted to the hospital. Initially suspected of a urinary tract infection, the infant later experienced upward eye rolling and generalized tonic-clonic seizures, leading to a transfer to the intensive care unit for treatment. Laboratory tests confirmed enterovirus type D68 complicated by severe illness. The infant's condition improved after treatment, and he was hospitalized for over two weeks before being discharged home.

Lin Yung-ching reminded the public that enterovirus type D68 symptoms primarily include fever, runny nose, and cough, which differ from the typical symptoms of herpangina or hand, foot, and mouth disease commonly associated with enteroviruses. A small number of patients may develop complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, or limb paralysis. Currently, there is no vaccine or specific medication for prevention or treatment. The most effective preventive measures include practicing good hand hygiene and cough etiquette, reducing visits to crowded public places during outbreaks, and staying home when sick to lower the risk of enterovirus transmission.

The CDC emphasized that infants and young children under 5 years old are at high risk for severe enterovirus complications. If diagnosed with enterovirus by a physician, parents should closely monitor the child's health. If the child exhibits any of the following warning signs of severe enterovirus complications, such as lethargy, confusion, poor vitality, limb weakness or paralysis, myoclonus, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, or rapid heartbeat, they should be taken to a major hospital for promptl for treatment. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150707

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