[Life] 1 New Severe Enterovirus Case; Doctor: D68 Type Symptoms Atypical, May Cause Encephalitis, Limb Paralysis
bellala 央廣7h agoEdited
Taiwan's enterovirus epidemic is slowly rising. Last week, one new severe case of enterovirus D68 was reported, a girl under 5 years old from northern Taiwan. Dr. Lin Yong-ching, an epidemic prevention physician at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), stated today (16th) that the symptoms of D68 are atypical, mainly characterized by fever, runny nose, and cough. A small number of patients may develop complications such as encephalitis, limb paralysis, and respiratory failure. He urged parents to pay special attention to the signs of severe illness. #Reported by Central Broadcasting System reporter Liu Pin-hsi#
According to CDC monitoring data, Taiwan is in the peak season for enterovirus. Last week, there were 5,824 outpatient and emergency visits, a slight increase of 2.4% from the previous week's 5,686 visits. The overall trend has been a slow rise recently. Monitoring over the past four weeks shows that Coxsackievirus A6 is the most prevalent in the community, followed by Coxsackievirus A4, Enterovirus D68, and Coxsackievirus A10. Additionally, Taiwan reported one new severe case of Enterovirus D68 last week, bringing the total to 5 severe cases this year, including 1 death. The severe cases include 3 cases of Enterovirus D68, and one each of Coxsackievirus A4 and Coxsackievirus A16.
Dr. Lin Yong-ching pointed out that the newly reported severe enterovirus case last week was a girl under 5 years old from northern Taiwan. She developed symptoms such as fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, and decreased appetite and activity in late May. She sought medical attention at a clinic but was later admitted to the emergency room and hospitalized due to persistent symptoms, including drowsiness and shortness of breath. Examinations revealed bronchial pneumonia. During her hospitalization, she experienced rapid breathing, high fever, and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), along with signs of encephalitis and myelitis. Laboratory tests confirmed infection with Enterovirus D68 complicated by severe illness. She is currently being treated in the intensive care unit.
Dr. Lin stated that Enterovirus D68 infection primarily causes respiratory symptoms, which differ from typical enterovirus symptoms. A small number of patients may develop complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and limb paralysis. He urged parents to be particularly vigilant about the signs of severe illness. He said: "(Original sound) Generally speaking, the main symptoms of Enterovirus D68 infection are, as seen in this case, respiratory symptoms like fever, runny nose, and cough. This is quite different from the typical enterovirus symptoms we usually hear about, such as hand, foot, and mouth disease and herpangina. However, severe D68 infections can still lead to acute flaccid paralysis, encephalitis, myelitis, or respiratory failure. This case indeed presented with these severe conditions."
Dr. Lin emphasized that infants and young children under 5 years old are at high risk for severe enterovirus complications. If a child in the household is infected with enterovirus, parents should monitor their condition closely. If any of the following warning signs of severe enterovirus appear – such as drowsiness, confusion, poor vitality, limb weakness, myoclonus, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, or rapid heartbeat – they must be immediately taken to a major hospital for treatment.
Dr. Lin mentioned that there are currently no vaccines or specific medications for Enterovirus D68. The most effective preventive measures include practicing good hand hygiene and cough etiquette, avoiding crowded public places, and ensuring sick individuals rest at home to reduce the risk of enterovirus transmission.
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=214836
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