The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday reported the nation’s 11th death from enterovirus infection this year — a two-year-old boy in Changhua County.
According to CDC Deputy Director-General Shih Wen-yi (施文儀), it was a sporadic case as the enterovirus season has yet to peak in the county.
“The public should not panic because of this case,” Shih said.
The latest victim came down with a fever, vomiting and blistering of the mouth on Aug. 26 and was hospitalized on Aug. 29, when he developed a skin rash. The boy was discharged from hospital two days later, according to a report by Changhua County health authorities.
However, on Sept. 1, the boy was again hospitalized after he took a turn for the worse. He died on Thursday, the authorities said.
CDC statistics show that from the start of this year to Monday, a total of 352 severe enterovirus infections were recorded in the country, 11 of which were fatal and 93 percent of which were caused by enterovirus type 71 (EV71).
Of these 352 cases, 97 involved one-year-olds, 96 affected two-year-olds and 63 involved children under the age of one, the statistics showed.
The largest number of cases occurred in central and southern parts of Taiwan, with 49 cases in Tainan County and 48 in Changhua County, the CDC said.
While this year’s enterovirus outbreak slowed down noticeably following the start of the summer vacation in July, a new peak is expected after schools reopened this month.
Shih said no suspected cases of severe enterovirus infection have been reported since Sept. 1, which indicated that the expected peak has not occurred.
Shih reminded the public that sporadic enterovirus infections can occur even when the virus is not in season and advised people to maintain good hygiene to prevent infection and avoid passing the virus to children in their families.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
RSS