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Dr. Ferran J. García

Clara Valverde

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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.

Enterovirus tops infectious disease list in schools

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Enterovirus topped the list of infectious diseases hitting Taipei school campuses last year, with 2,010 cases reported, Taipei City's health officials said yesterday.

The officials, speaking at a press conference, said that the enterovirus was followed by chicken pox, mumps, scarlet fever, head louse, and pertussis.

Health officials said that the enterovirus is most prevalent in the spring, summer and early autumn, but that the disease could strike Taiwan almost all year round.

The number of enterovirus cases surged in the latter half of 2007 mainly because of the global warming effect, which saw temperatures not dropping even in the winter, the officials added.

Enteroviruses can be found in the respiratory secretions and stool of an infected person. Other persons may become infected by direct contact with secretions from an infected person or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, such as a drinking glass or telephone.

Infected persons who become ill usually develop either mild upper respiratory symptoms a flu-like illness with fever and muscle aches, or an illness with rash.

Health authorities advised students to wash their hands, keep a healthy diet and exercise regularly to avoid being infected with various infectious diseases. For many in China, the situation is dire, the Red Cross said. The storm has caused 140,900 houses to collapse and left 600,200 homes damaged. Over 1.61 million Chinese have been evacuated from their neighborhoods and more than 100 million acres of farmland have been impacted.

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