The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) yesterday confirmed a case of enterovirus with severe complications in a newborn baby, now being treated in an intensive care unit, and urged the public to wash their hands properly before coming into contact with infants.
CDC physician Philip Lo (羅一鈞) said the baby, born on Sept. 25, was being cared for in a postpartum care center with his mother until Oct. 2, when he was hospitalized due to a fever. On Wednesday last week the baby was transferred to an intensive care unit after a lack of improvement in his condition and he exhibited symptoms such as a rapid heartbeat and low blood pressure.
The baby was diagnosed with Coxsackie B virus type 5 and continues to receive treatment in the intensive care unit, Lo said.
As the baby’s mother and workers at the care center tested negative for the virus, the disease might have been transmitted by visitors to the center, Lo added.
This is the fifth confirmed case of an enterovirus infection with severe complications this year, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Liu Ting-ping (劉定萍) said.
Of the other cases this year, three were also Coxsackie B virus type 5 infections, which is more often observed in children less than six years old, Lo said.
However, recent enterovirus outbreaks involve Coxsackie A virus type 6, Lo said.
The weekly average of enterovirus infections reported by emergency rooms over the past four weeks has been greater than the average for the same period between 2011 and last year, Liu said, adding that the public should remain vigilant and take preventive measures during outbreaks.
The public, especially family members who come into contact with young children and newborn babies, should remember to wash their hands and wear face masks to help prevent infections, Lo said.
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