TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 衛福部疾管署) announced Wednesday (Nov. 27) that enterovirus (腸病毒) cases reached a decade-high last week, with 26,077 visits. Officials expect the outbreak to peak in mid-December, potentially reaching 30,000 weekly visits, and anticipate it will subside by January.
Lee Chia-lin (李佳琳), CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center deputy director, noted a 14.8% increase in clinic and emergency visits from Nov. 17 to 23, compared to the previous week. Lo Yi-chun (羅一鈞) said the outbreak, initially expected to decline by late November, has been delayed due to a surge in emergency visits exceeding 14%.
Lo identified coxsackie A16 as the dominant strain this year, attributing its prevalence to children contracting enterovirus after previous COVID-19 restrictions. He urged parents to ensure children wash their hands thoroughly, especially with increased activities following midterms, as cold weather may lead to inadequate hygiene.
Recent statistics revealed 331 class suspensions from Nov. 3 to 9, surpassing figures from the past four years during the same period. This includes 245 kindergarten, 28 elementary, and 58 nursery and other institution classes. Laboratory monitoring over the past four weeks showed coxsackie A16 as the most common strain, followed by A6 and A2.
Seven severe enterovirus cases have been confirmed this year, with three coxsackie A2, two A10, and one each of A16 and B4, affecting mostly infants under one year. Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely as the outbreak progresses.
