Enterovirus Season Begins Locally; Urge Handwashing, Disinfection, and Vigilance for Severe Infant Symptoms

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (hereafter CDC) announced today (the 5th) that, according to surveillance data, during the 17th week of the year (April 26 to May 2) there were 3,814 emergency and outpatient visits for enterovirus infections, roughly the same as the previous week (4,049 visits). The numbers may have been affected by some outpatient clinics being closed during the holiday, and the situation after the holiday should be monitored. The country is now entering the peak season for enteroviruses, and the epidemic is expected to rise. Laboratory surveillance over the past four weeks shows that the predominant community enterovirus strain is Coxsackie A6, followed by Coxsackie A4. This year, a total of four confirmed severe cases of enterovirus infection have been reported: two cases of enterovirus D68, one case of Coxsackie A4, and one case of Coxsackie A16, which is comparable to the same period last year (four cases) and higher than the 0‑3 cases reported in the same period from 2022 to 2024. The public is urged to pay special attention to the health of infants, toddlers and school‑age children. If a child is infected with an enterovirus, caregivers should watch for signs of severe disease, keep the child home from school, and avoid contact with other children to prevent cross‑infection.

Data source: Taiwan Centers for Disease Control

Data compilation: Infection Control Office