TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Centers for Disease Control announced the death of a seven-day-old boy due to severe enterovirus infection in northern Taiwan on Tuesday.
The baby developed hypothermia and was taken to the emergency room, where he was found to have jaundice, an elevated liver index, low blood platelets, and metabolic acidosis. After being admitted to the neonatal ICU for treatment, his symptoms did not improve, and he died the following day due to Echovirus type 11 infection.
According to CDC data, the number of outpatient and emergency department visits for enterovirus infections has been trending upwards; from Sept. 7 to 13, there were 8,313 visits, a 6.8% increase from the previous week. Lab reports over the past four weeks show that Coxsackievirus A16 is the most prevalent enterovirus, followed by Echovirus 11 and Coxsackievirus A6.
This year, 16 cases of enterovirus infection with severe complications have been confirmed, resulting in eight deaths. This is the highest number over the same period in the past six years.
Thirteen cases of enterovirus infection in newborns have been confirmed, all of whom were infected with Echovirus 11, resulting in seven deaths. The public is urged to be aware of the early warning signs of severe enterovirus illness in newborns and young children.
Parents, childcare facilities, healthcare facilities, and postpartum care homes must remain vigilant and implement various enterovirus prevention and control measures. Childcare facility staff and parents should strengthen personal hygiene practices for children, especially handwashing.
Pregnant women should avoid crowded or poorly ventilated areas and avoid contact with symptomatic individuals. If any suspected symptoms occur, such as fever, respiratory symptoms, and diarrhea within 14 days of delivery, they should seek medical attention and notify their doctor.
The CDC advises that newborns infected with enterovirus may experience fever or hypothermia, low energy, and decreased milk intake. The disease progresses rapidly and, if not treated promptly, can develop into severe conditions such as myocarditis, hepatitis, encephalitis, and multiple organ failure.
For related prevention and control information, please visit the "Neonatal Enterovirus Prevention Zone" on the CDC's Global Information Network. The CDC also operates a toll-free epidemic prevention hotline at 1922 (or 0800-001922).
The CDC also announced four new cases of imported malaria in Taiwan, all of whom were males aged between 40 and 60. Three of them had a history of traveling abroad between July and September, and none of them took malaria prevention drugs.
Two individuals traveled to Indonesia and were infected with Plasmodium vivax malaria; one traveled to Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and other countries and was infected with Falciparum malaria (also known as tropical malaria); and the remaining person had lived in India for a long time and was infected with Plasmodium vivax malaria.
The onset dates of the four cases ranged from July 30 to Sept. 5, and the symptoms were mostly fever, diarrhea, chills, dizziness, vomiting, headache, fatigue, and joint pain. They each received hospital treatment, and currently, three cases have been discharged, and one case is in the hospital with stable vital signs.
CDC data revealed 20 malaria cases have been reported this year, all imported cases, the highest number for the same period in the past 19 years. The CDC reports that 94% of global malaria cases occur in Africa, especially Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, while in Asia, Indonesia has seen an increase in cases, primarily in Papua Province, as citizens traveling to these regions are advised to exercise caution.
The CDC urges travelers visiting malaria-endemic areas to take preventive medication before, during, and after their trip. While traveling, people are advised to wear light-colored long-sleeved shirts and long pants, apply government-approved mosquito repellent, and stay in rooms with screens if possible.
Upon return, if suspected symptoms develop, seek medical attention. Those with symptoms will be asked to share their travel history and any malaria preventive medication they have taken with their doctor for diagnostic and treatment guidance.
