讀後心得

The Ministry of Health and Welfare's Centers for Disease Control reported today (25th) the second case of severe complications from enterovirus infection resulting in death among newborns this year, bringing the total confirmed cases to 3, all caused by Enterovirus 11 infection. Dr. Lu Jun-yi from the Department of Pediatrics at National Taiwan University Hospital warned that the antibody rate against this virus among women of childbearing age in the country is relatively low, which may pose a potential risk for a widespread outbreak. He urged parents to pay attention to the symptoms of newborns and young children. The Centers for Disease Control stated that the current enterovirus epidemic is still fluctuating at a low point, and they will continue to monitor the situation, reiterating the importance of infection control to prevent the spread of the virus.

In the face of the enterovirus epidemic, 呂俊毅 warns that a large-scale outbreak of enterovirus 11 may occur. The Ministry of Health and Welfare's Disease Control Agency announced today the second case this year of a newborn who died due to severe illness from enterovirus infection, with the case resulting in death approximately one week after onset. There have been a total of three confirmed cases of enterovirus infection complicated by severe illness this year, including two deaths, all of which were infected with enterovirus type 11.

Dr. 呂俊毅 from the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Department at National Taiwan University Hospital pointed out that, according to relevant studies on cord blood, the antibody ratio against enterovirus among reproductive-age women in Taiwan is relatively low, which may lead to a lack of protection for newborns. Therefore, parents should be more vigilant. Monitoring data from the disease control agency indicates that the recent enterovirus epidemic is fluctuating at a low point, but there are still reports of cases complicated by severe illness. Recent laboratory monitoring results over the past four weeks show that enterovirus infections are primarily caused by coxsackievirus A16, followed by coxsackievirus A6 and enterovirus type 11. Based on past epidemic monitoring data, enterovirus epidemics typically begin to rise gradually from March to April, and the disease control agency will continue to closely monitor changes in the epidemic.

The disease control agency pointed out that there have been three confirmed cases of enterovirus infection complicated by severe illness this year, including two deaths, all of which were infected with enterovirus type 11. Among these, both cases were newborns under one month old, and the number of severe cases is slightly higher than the same period from 2021 to 2024. The public is urged to pay close attention to the early warning signs of severe enterovirus infections in newborns and young children.

During the routine epidemic press conference held by the disease control agency, 呂俊毅 stated that since the end of last year, infections of enterovirus in infants and newborns have begun to emerge, including severe and fatal cases. He emphasized that this virus has particularly severe effects on infants and newborns. According to relevant studies, the antibody ratio against enterovirus among reproductive-age women in Taiwan is low, putting newborns at risk.

He indicated that severe cases of enterovirus type 11 are primarily concentrated in children under one year of age, with infants under one month old accounting for sixty percent and those under one year for eighty percent; such cases usually do not exhibit special features in older children or adults but may present with general symptoms like fever and cough. In contrast, traditional coxsackievirus type B or enterovirus type 71 are more likely to exhibit typical hand, foot, and mouth disease symptoms.

Regarding the possibility of a large-scale outbreak of enterovirus this year, 呂俊毅 stated that it is still uncertain, but there have indeed been case reports since the end of last year, making this a warning worth paying attention to. He reminded the public to remain vigilant, especially in medical institutions, obstetrics and gynecology departments, and postpartum care centers, to strengthen infection control and avoid potential virus spread.

Deputy Director 曾淑慧 of the disease control agency pointed out that Taiwan experienced a larger-scale outbreak of enterovirus type 11 in 2018. Although the number of visits this year is reported to be lower than last year, she still urges the public to remain alert and pay attention to the development of the epidemic.