PINGTUNG, Taiwan -- The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed yesterday an enterovirus-71 case involving a 21-month old child in Pingtung County, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Taiwan to 14 for the year.

Lin Ting, deputy director-general of the Centers for Disease Control under the DOH, said that the girl's parents took her to a Kaohsiung medical center on Feb. 4 after discovering blisters all over her body.

The child was released from hospital the next day after her condition improved. However, on Feb. 6, the child developed a fever, symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), as well as arm and leg spasms, Lin said.

The parents brought the child back to the same medical center, and the child was immediately admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. On Feb. 19, after conducting tests, the hospital reported the suspected enterovirus-71 case to the CDC. The child was released from the medical center several days later after her condition had improved.

Lin said that although the latest data shows that enterovirus may be on the wane, the data was compiled ahead of the start of school following the extended holiday break which he noted may be the reason for the decline in new enterovirus cases.

Pointing out that enterovirus may make a resurgence when school starts again, Lin reminded parents and teachers to not let their guard down and to pay attention to students' sanitary habits as well as to make sure that they wash their hands often to avoid being infected.

He also urged parents to take their kids to a hospital immediately if they develop a fever, HFMD symptoms, or arm and leg spasms.

In 2007, there were a total of 49 cases of confirmed enterovirus infections in Taiwan, with two fatalities. So far this year, there have been 14 cases, with no fatalities, which Lin said shows that citizens have become more aware of the threat of enterovirus.

Fuente: CNA | China Post