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Kaohsiung toddler dies of enterovirus complications

A 20-month-old boy in Kaohsiung County died on Wednesday of severe complications caused by enterovirus type 71 (E71) infection, becoming the first E71 victim to die this year in Taiwan, health authorities reported yesterday.

The toddler fell ill on Jan. 2 after coming into contact with two older cousins, who also developed enterovirus infection symptoms such as fever and rashes on their mouths, hands and feet.

He was admitted to the intensive care ward at a local hospital two days later with breathing difficulties and began bleeding in the lungs on Jan. 5.

He had remained at the hospital for treatment since then until his death on Wednesday, Centers for Disease Control Deputy Director-General Lin Ting (林頂) said.

It was the first confirmed E71 case this year and the first death attributed to enterovirus this year, Lin said.

Lin warned parents to keep young children away from people infected with enterovirus. He said patients who develop the most serious complications are those who catch it from others because they are attacked by a much higher concentration of the virus.

That causes the disease to spread quickly and results in respiratory problems and internal bleeding, Lin said.

Among the 18 confirmed enterovirus cases since the beginning of the year, most of the patients were reported to have contracted the disease after coming in contact with other sick children. Thirteen of the cases reported occurred in the southern Taiwan areas of Kao-hsiung City, Kaohsiung County and Pingtung County.

Two patients remain in pediatric intensive care units, where they were admitted over a month ago, Lin said.

Enterovirus topped the list of infectious diseases hitting Taipei school campuses last year, with 2,010 cases reported.
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