The Center for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed yesterday that an enterovirus was responsible for an outbreak of conjunctivitis, commonly known as pinkeye, among elementary-school students in Keelung.
CDC Deputy Director-General Shih Wen-yi (
Shih said Coxackieviruses type 24 has been discovered in all samples taken from five students, proving that the outbreak was related to enteroviral infection.
Shih called all members of the public to seek medical aid if they are infected with pinkeye -- an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids.
He also urged everyone, especially children, to wash their hands regularly to avoid being infected, since conjunctivitis is highly contagious. They should not share eyedroppers, tissues, washcloths, towels, or pillowcases, he said.
Shih said that although the outbreak has subsided, it has not completely run its course, so people should remain alert. Since the conjunctivitis outbreak has not been declared an epidemic, the CDC is unable to determine exactly how many people have been infected, he said.
This was the first coxackieviruses outbreak in Taiwan in 19 years, Shih said, noting that there were outbreaks in 1985, 1986, 1988 and 1989.
He said the last outbreak of pinkeye was in the 1970s, and that it was a result of enterovirus type S70.
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