The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as CDC) announced today (the 7th) an additional case of severe complications from an enterovirus infection, which is a
central region male infant under 1 year old, who developed fever symptoms in early June, visited a clinic, and because the symptoms persisted went to the emergency department
and was admitted to the hospital; subsequently developed whole-body convulsions, was transferred and admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment, and after reporting and testing was confirmed as an enterovirus
D68 type with severe complications. After treatment, the patient's symptoms improved, and they have now been discharged home.
According to CDC statistics, this year (2026) there have been a cumulative total of 6 confirmed cases of severe complications from enterovirus infection (including 1 death), broken down as
4 cases of enterovirus D68 infection, and 1 case each of coxsackie A4 and coxsackie A16. Based on CDC monitoring
data shows that in week 26 (June 28 to July 4), the number of enterovirus outpatient and emergency visits totaled 7,522
an increase of 6.8% compared with the previous week (7,044 visits), indicating a recent upward trend in the outbreak; laboratory surveillance over the past four weeks shows that community enterovirus
predominantly coxsackie A6, followed by coxsackie A4 and enterovirus D68, and the risk of enterovirus transmission
continues. The public is urged to monitor the health of infants and young children for early signs of severe enterovirus infection. Neighboring countries/regions such as Vietnam,
China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong have seen a recent rise in enterovirus activity, with Vietnam experiencing a severe outbreak,
reporting approximately 55,000 cases from mid-December 2025 to June this year, including 10 deaths,
predominantly of the EV71 type, especially in southern provinces such as Ho Chi Minh City where severe and fatal cases continue to occur.
The CDC states that symptoms of enterovirus D68 primarily include fever, runny nose, and cough, which differ from the typical enterovirus manifestations such as
herpetic pharyngitis or hand, foot, and mouth disease. A minority of patients may develop pneumonia, encephalitis, or limb paralysis
and other complications. Currently there is no vaccine or medication available for prevention or treatment. The most effective preventive measures are proper hand hygiene
and cough etiquette, reducing visits to crowded public places during outbreaks, and staying home when ill, to lower the risk of enterovirus transmission.
The CDC reminds that adult infection with enterovirus usually presents with less obvious symptoms, making it easy to neglect protection and transmit to others, therefore families
people with pregnant women and infants should also pay attention to personal and environmental hygiene, especially after returning home from outings and before hugging or feeding infants
Before handling infants, they should wash hands properly with soap; if family members have suspected symptoms, they should implement proper isolation or protective measures to avoid contact with pregnant
women and infants.
The CDC again urges that children under 5 are a high‑risk group for severe enterovirus infection; if diagnosed by a physician as infected with enterovirus,
please monitor the health of infants and young children. If there is drowsiness, confusion, poor vitality, weakness or paralysis of limbs, muscle twitches
(unexplained startle or sudden full‑body muscle contraction), persistent vomiting, rapid breathing or accelerated heartbeat, and other warning signs of severe enterovirus infection,
please promptly take them to a major hospital for treatment. For related information, you can visit the CDC's global website
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled by: Epidemiology Management Office
