TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 衛福部疾管署) reported on Tuesday (Nov. 12) a significant rise in enterovirus (腸病毒) cases, marking the highest number in a decade for this time of the year. The CDC recorded 20,913 consultations last week, a 4.7% increase from the previous week.
An 8-year-old boy in southern Taiwan experienced symptoms like leg weakness and fever on Nov. 2, later confirmed as a Coxsackievirus A16 infection. He represents the seventh severe enterovirus case this year. Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞), a CDC spokesperson, noted that nationwide class suspensions reached 347 during the 43rd week (Oct. 20-26), with the peak expected to last until late November.
CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Center Deputy Director Lee Chia-lin (李佳琳) stated that during the 45th week (Nov. 3-9), Coxsackievirus A16 was the predominant strain, followed by Coxsackievirus A6, indicating ongoing transmission risks.
The CDC has reported seven severe cases this year, five involving infants under one year old, prompting a public alert to monitor severe symptom precursors in children. The CDC advises maintaining good hygiene, avoiding contact with infected individuals, and steering clear of crowded public places during outbreaks, as no vaccines exist for enterovirus types other than A71.
The agency emphasizes that children under five are at high risk for severe enterovirus complications and should receive prompt treatment at major hospitals if severe symptoms appear.
