讀後心得

The Centers for Disease Control announced the second case of severe complications from enterovirus leading to death this year. The victim is a premature newborn boy from the northern region. The infant was hospitalized in mid-February due to respiratory difficulties and subsequently exhibited various severe symptoms, ultimately passing away on March 17, confirmed to be infected with Enterovirus 71. Currently, there have been no infections reported among contacts, and the source of the outbreak remains to be clarified. The Centers for Disease Control urges expectant mothers and caregivers to strengthen hygiene practices and pay attention to the health of infants, emphasizing that medical institutions must implement infection control measures. Additionally, monitoring over the past four weeks has shown fluctuations in the enterovirus outbreak, with Coxsackie A16 and Enterovirus 71 remaining the main circulating types. The Centers for Disease Control reminds that special attention should be given to enterovirus infections in newborns, and any signs of severe symptoms should prompt early medical attention. Regarding influenza, the outbreak has gradually subsided, and the conditions for the use of publicly funded medications will be adjusted in April.

The Centers for Disease Control announced this year's second case of severe complications from enterovirus infection resulting in death. The victim was a newborn baby boy, less than one month old (premature) from the northern region. The infant was hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit in mid-February due to respiratory distress, and by mid-March exhibited symptoms of sepsis including low blood oxygen levels, bradycardia, hepatitis, and decreased platelet count, ultimately passing away on March 17. Testing confirmed that the cause was severe enterovirus infection caused by "Echovirus type 11." However, family contacts, healthcare workers during hospitalization, and other patients in the same ward did not show any signs of enterovirus infection, and the source of infection is still being investigated. The CDC urges expectant mothers and caregivers to enhance personal hygiene and pay attention to the health status of infants and young children, and that medical institutions and postpartum care facilities must implement infection control measures.

Preventing enterovirus in infants! Echovirus and Coxsackie virus type B pose significant threats. Surveillance data from health authorities show that recent enterovirus outbreaks are fluctuating at low levels, although there are still reports of severe complications from enterovirus infections. Laboratory monitoring over the past four weeks indicates that Coxsackie virus type A16 is the most common enterovirus, followed by Coxsackie virus type A6 and Echovirus type 11. Historical outbreak monitoring data suggest that enterovirus activity typically begins to rise in March and April, so close monitoring of the situation will continue. This year, there have been a total of three confirmed cases of severe complications from enterovirus infection (including two deaths), all caused by Echovirus type 11, and two of these cases involved newborns less than one month old.

The CDC points out that Echovirus and Coxsackie virus type B are the main types of enteroviruses leading to severe illness and death in newborns. To prevent enterovirus in newborns, pregnant women, infants, and their caregivers should avoid contact with infected individuals, particularly maintaining personal hygiene and monitoring the health status of infants. The CDC reminds expectant mothers to maintain hand and respiratory hygiene during pregnancy and before and after delivery, minimize entry into crowded and poorly ventilated places, avoid contact with patients, and monitor their own health. If symptoms such as fever, upper respiratory infection, diarrhea, or rib muscle pain occur within 14 days before delivery, they should promptly inform their doctor and take appropriate isolation measures.

The seriousness of enterovirus infection in newborns should not be underestimated as it can lead to severe illness. If symptoms such as lethargy or seizures appear, immediate medical attention is necessary. Since adults often have less obvious symptoms of enterovirus infection, they may inadvertently infect infants. It is recommended that individuals with infants enhance personal hygiene, change clothes immediately upon returning home, wash hands properly with soap before holding or feeding infants, and avoid contact with infants when symptomatic.

The CDC emphasizes that early signs of infection in newborns may include fever, lethargy, and decreased appetite. If not treated promptly, the condition could develop into severe illnesses such as myocarditis, hepatitis, encephalitis, decreased platelet count, and multi-organ failure. Parents should pay special attention to warning signs of severe enterovirus infection, such as lethargy, confusion, decreased vitality, limb weakness, paralysis, or seizures, and seek medical treatment as soon as possible to take advantage of the best timing for intervention.

Regarding the influenza epidemic, the number of outpatient visits for flu-like illness last week was approximately 111,000, which remained similar to the previous week. There were 24 newly reported severe cases of influenza complications and 11 deaths, with new cases and deaths primarily involving infection with type A H1N1. Experts pointed out that laboratory monitoring data indicate that the predominant respiratory pathogens in community transmission currently are influenza virus (type A H1N1), although the proportion of influenza is declining. Based on a comprehensive assessment of monitoring data, it is concluded that the influenza epidemic has exited the epidemic period.

As the flu-like epidemic gradually subsides, the criteria for expanded use of government-funded antiviral medications for influenza will be adjusted. The previous condition, "having flu-like symptoms and having family members/classmates/colleagues with flu-like illness," will expire on March 31, and after April, it will only apply to cases of severe complications from influenza and patients with chronic diseases at high risk for influenza.