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The Centers for Disease Control reported that a newborn male baby, less than one month old, unfortunately passed away on March 17 due to severe complications from an enterovirus infection, with a confirmed diagnosis of Echovirus type 11. No infections were found among household contacts or healthcare personnel, and the source of infection is still pending clarification. The CDC urges expectant mothers and caregivers to pay attention to personal hygiene and the health of infants and young children, and demands medical institutions to strengthen infection control measures. Recently, the enterovirus epidemic has shown fluctuations, but special precautions should be taken against Echovirus and Coxsackievirus B for pregnant women and newborns. The influenza epidemic is showing a downward trend, and the use of publicly funded antiviral medications for influenza will be adjusted, only applicable to specific cases.

The CDC announced this year's second case of enterovirus infection with severe complications resulting in death. The patient was a newborn baby boy (premature) aged less than one month from the northern region. The baby was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit in mid-February due to respiratory distress and exhibited symptoms of sepsis such as low blood oxygen levels, bradycardia, hepatitis, and decreased platelet counts in mid-March, unfortunately passing away on March 17. Tests confirmed he was infected with enterovirus "Echovirus type 11," however, family contacts, hospital staff, and other patients in the same ward did not have enterovirus infections; the source of infection is still under investigation. The CDC urges expectant mothers and caregivers to strengthen personal hygiene and pay attention to the health of infants and toddlers, while medical institutions and postpartum care facilities should implement infection control measures.

Prevent enterovirus infections in newborns! Echovirus and Coxsackievirus B are notably threatening. CDC surveillance data shows that recent enterovirus outbreaks have fluctuated at a low level; however, there are still reports of severe enterovirus infection cases. In the past four weeks, laboratory monitoring indicated that the highest incidence of enterovirus was Coxsackie A16, followed by Coxsackie A6 and Echovirus 11. There have been a total of three confirmed cases of severe complications from enterovirus infection (including two deaths), all infected with Echovirus 11, two of which were infants under one month old.

The CDC pointed out that Echovirus and Coxsackievirus B are the primary types of enteroviruses responsible for severe complications and deaths in newborns. To prevent enterovirus in newborns, pregnant women, caregivers of newborns, and toddlers should avoid contact with infected individuals and pay particular attention to personal hygiene and the health status of infants and toddlers. The CDC reminds expecting mothers to maintain hand and respiratory hygiene during pregnancy and before and after childbirth, reduce exposure to crowded or poorly ventilated places, avoid contact with infected persons, and inform their doctors immediately if they experience symptoms such as fever, upper respiratory infections, or diarrhea within 14 days before delivery, and to take appropriate isolation measures with the infants.

The severity of enterovirus infection in newborns should not be underestimated, as it can lead to severe complications. If signs such as lethargy or convulsions are observed in infants and toddlers, they should be sent for medical examination immediately. As adults often exhibit less noticeable symptoms when infected with enterovirus, they can unintentionally transmit the virus to infants and toddlers, thus adults in homes with young children should enhance their personal hygiene, change clothes immediately after returning home, and ensure to wash hands properly with soap before coming into contact with young children. If any symptoms appear, it is best to avoid contact with them.

The CDC emphasized that newborns in the early stages of infection might exhibit fever, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Without timely treatment, this may develop into severe conditions such as myocarditis, hepatitis, encephalitis, decreased platelet counts, and multiple organ failure. Parents must pay close attention to early warning signs of severe enterovirus infection, such as lethargy, confusion, low energy, weakness or paralysis of limbs, and muscle spasms, and should promptly take the child to the hospital for treatment to ensure the best opportunity for intervention.

Regarding the flu epidemic, the number of visits for influenza-like illness to outpatient emergency departments in the past week was approximately 111,100, remaining stable compared to the previous week. Among the newly reported 24 severe flu cases, 11 resulted in death, with the majority of recent cases and fatalities being due to infections of the H1N1 subtype. Laboratory monitoring data indicates that the predominant respiratory pathogens circulating in the community are still influenza viruses (H1N1), but the percentage of flu cases is declining. After a comprehensive assessment, it is determined that the influenza epidemic has exited the epidemic phase.

Given the easing of influenza-like illness, the conditions for the use of public-funded antiviral medications for influenza will be adjusted. As of March 31, the expanded usage criteria of "having influenza-like symptoms, with family members, colleagues, or classmates exhibiting influenza-like illness" will be terminated, and from April onward, it will only apply to cases with severe complications from influenza and chronic disease patients at high risk for influenza.