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This year, Taiwan has reported two cases of enterovirus-related deaths, both involving newborns infected with enterovirus. Dr. Lu Jun-yi, the head of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Department at National Taiwan University Hospital, warns that enterovirus symptoms are not obvious but are especially dangerous for newborns under the age of 1, particularly those under 3 months old. The Centers for Disease Control reported that the latest death case involved a male infant who was less than 1 month old and who died from hepatitis and sepsis. Currently, the domestic enterovirus circulation is lower than last year, with the main cases being coxsackievirus A16 type, and there have been 3 severe cases of enterovirus. Dr. Lu pointed out that the antibody levels against enterovirus among women of childbearing age are relatively low, making infants more susceptible to infection. He advises pregnant women and newborns to avoid contact with infected individuals and to strengthen hygiene practices to prevent virus transmission.

This year, there have been 2 cases of enterovirus-related deaths in the country, both involving newborns infected with Echovirus. A medical expert pointed out that the symptoms of Echovirus infection are not obvious, but it can particularly cause severe illness in infants under 1 year old, especially in babies under 3 months who need extra caution.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced today the second case of severe enterovirus death this year, involving a newborn male infant from the northern region who was less than 1 month old. He began showing symptoms of hepatitis and sepsis in mid-March but unfortunately passed away about a week later.

A spokesperson for the CDC mentioned in a routine epidemic report that the current activity level of enterovirus in the country is low and has not entered an epidemic period, with the number of cases currently lower than the same period last year. Surveillance shows that the majority of cases are caused by Coxsackievirus A16, followed by Coxsackievirus A6 and Echovirus 11. So far this year, there have been a total of 3 severe cases, all infected with Echovirus 11, of which 2 have resulted in death.

Experts further explained that the virus operates in a cyclical manner; after a wave of transmission, those infected usually develop immunity, resulting in reduced viral activity. However, the Echovirus has not circulated in Taiwan for quite some time. Since October of last year, there have been signs of an increase in cases, and with just under 3 months into this year, there have already been 3 severe cases reported, which serves as a warning and calls upon the public, medical institutions, and postpartum care units to enhance vigilance to avoid the risk of a large-scale outbreak.

Ongoing studies indicate that women of childbearing age in the country have a higher proportion of antibodies against Coxsackievirus B and D68, while the positive rate of antibodies against Echovirus is relatively low. This suggests that infections among women of childbearing age with Echovirus are not common, leading to a lack of protective antibodies for their infants, thus facilitating easier infections of Echovirus in small babies.

It is worth noting that the infection characteristics of Echovirus are not obvious. Experts have pointed out that if adults or older children are infected, the symptoms are similar to a common cold, showing only mild fever, cough, or rash, without triggering the well-known pharyngitis or hand-foot-and-mouth disease typically associated with Coxsackievirus A or Enterovirus 71.

The high-risk group for severe enterovirus includes children under 5 years, while Echovirus poses the highest risk to infants under 1 year old, especially those under 3 months. Early symptoms after infection may only include fever, lethargy, and poor appetite, but the risk of severe illness in infants is high, potentially leading to acute hepatitis, encephalitis, or myocarditis, which may in turn cause jaundice, coma, seizures, and ultimately result in sepsis or multiple organ failure, with very serious consequences.

Statistics from the CDC show that the last year with a high incidence of Echovirus infection in the country was 2018; since 2012, 60% of cases of Echovirus infection have occurred in infants under 1 month old, and 80% of cases have been in children under 1 year old.

Experts warn that Echovirus is mainly transmitted through close contact, and newborns may also be infected before or during birth. It is recommended that pregnant women and newborns avoid contact with sick individuals or children as much as possible; for instance, if there are siblings at home with a fever, they may carry Echovirus. Additionally, hygiene practices should be strengthened, and visitors should be careful to avoid bringing the virus into the home. Medical institutions and nursing homes should also pay more attention to infection control to prevent the spread of the virus.