Epidemiologists warned yesterday there was a high possibility of an epidemic of Enterovirus (EV,
EV71, the same strain that resulted in the deaths of some 78 people during an outbreak in the summer of 1998, is expected to be dominant among the various strains of the virus.
The virus can cause serious complications like encephalitis (
According to Taipei City Health Department (TCHD), cases of EV infection rose rapidly from between 30 and 40 in February to between 60 to 90 in March, peaking at around 200 cases within the last two weeks of April.
From Jan. 1 to April 29, there have been 1,231 reported cases of EV infections, with 168 being serious enough to require hospitalization. The average age of those infected was two and half years old. Cases below thee years of age represented 67.4 percent of all reported incidences.
In 1999, the number of cases reported were significantly less than those during the epidemic of 1998. However, experts expressed concern that this year might be more like 1998.
"It's expected that this year that EV will be more serious than last year," said Huang Li-min (
"The most serious strain, EV71, is expected to be dominant this year, which could cause severe complications," Huang added.
The 1998 outbreak saw the infections of more than 4.5 million people, of which 405 cases were classed as "severe" and 78 resulted in death. Over 80 percent of fatalities and hospitalizations involved children of less than six years of age.
Citing a survey conducted last year, Huang said he found only 20 prevent of children under four years of age were EV71 seropositive -- that is, armed with natural antibodies to fight the virus.
"It means 80 percent [of children under four] are at risk from EV71," Huang said, "many doctors are increasing their vigilance, since many severe cases have been reported recently."
"Just how rampant the epidemic will be this year cannot be estimated, but we are sure it won't be worse than 1998," Huang added.
In order to prevent the spread of the epidemic, the TCHD has been cooperating with the city government's Bureau of Education and Bureau of Social Affairs to disseminate information on the virus to primary schools, kindergartens and babysitting centers since May 1.
TCHD officials appealed to schools to be on the alert for cases where three or more school children in the same class are suspected of being infected within one week. In such cases, schools are being asked to inform the TCHD to dispatch experts so they can send a team to investigate.
"We appeal to parents to ask older children to wash their hands carefully after school before touching younger siblings," said Yeh Chin-chuan (
According to TCHD information, the season for EV runs between April and November. The virus is contracted through oral and fecal contact with those already infected.
Symptoms include rashes on the palms and feet, mouth ulcers, headaches, fever and vomiting.
The virus is most contagious within one week of symptoms starting to appear, and it is at this period doctors advise isolation of those infected.
School children displaying symptoms are also being asked to take two weeks' absence from school -- not just in order to have enough rest, but to reduce the possibility of infecting other children.
More information can be found at the Department of Health's Web site http://www.doh.gov.tw/focus/virus/english.html
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