TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (疾管署) reported Tuesday (Oct. 29) a significant rise in enterovirus (腸病毒) cases, marking a 10.3% increase in outpatient visits during the 43rd week from Oct. 20 to Oct. 26. The number of cases reached 18,266, setting a decade high for this time of year and signaling an ongoing epidemic.
The CDC noted that Coxsackievirus A16 is the predominant strain, followed by Coxsackievirus A6. Other Coxsackie A types and Enterovirus D68 continue to circulate in communities, maintaining the risk of transmission. This year, authorities have confirmed five severe cases of enterovirus, with three involving Coxsackie A2 and two involving Coxsackie A10. Notably, four of these cases involved infants under 1 year old.
Health officials urge both adults and children to remain vigilant and practice good hand hygiene, using soap or hand sanitizer regularly, especially before eating, after playing with babies, after blowing the nose, after using the restroom, and before and after medical visits. Families with children under 5 should pay extra attention to personal hygiene, frequently disinfecting and cleaning items and toys that children often touch.
The CDC advises that if a doctor diagnoses an infant with enterovirus, they should rest at home and avoid contact with other children to minimize cross-infection risks. The CDC reminds that children under 5 are at high risk for severe symptoms. If symptoms such as drowsiness, confusion, or lethargy appear, they should be taken to a major hospital promptly for treatment.
