TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The enterovirus outbreak has forced numerous schools and classes to suspend lessons since Dec. 1, resulting in the Taipei City Department of Education (台北市教育局) issuing guidelines requiring confirmed or suspected cases to take a leave of at least seven days.
Chang Hung (張弘), an otolaryngologist, highlighted the outbreak's impact on clinics and school closures on his Facebook page. Chang advised parents to watch for four severe symptoms: cramps, persistent vomiting, shortness of breath and drowsiness. He urged parents to seek medical attention promptly if these symptoms appear.
Enterovirus spreads primarily through the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Chang recommended using soap for handwashing to prevent infection effectively.
The Taipei City Department of Education set specific protocols for class suspensions. Kindergartens must suspend classes for seven days if two or more students in a single class test positive. For elementary schools and above, classes can only be suspended with parental consent if two or more confirmed cases occur within seven days.
