Taipei City Government

With the enterovirus peak season arriving in early summer, Taipei City government stepped up effort to check upon the preparedness of responsible hospitals since April.
 
On April 13, Deputy Mayor Teng Chia-ji presided over this year’s first municipality -level meeting. The organizers invited Director Sheng Wang-huei from National Taiwan University Hospital’s Center of Infection Control to take part in discussions.
 
According to Sheng, infected parents who show few symptoms are often to blame for infections in young children. He urged parents and caregivers to wash hands at these times: after a hospital trip; before touching children; after using the restroom; after wiping the nose, and before eating. One must properly wash hands with soap every time he or she comes back home and refrain from touching kids before changing clothes, Sheng noted.
 
As of April this year, no confirmed case of severe enterovirus complications has been reported in Taipei. According to statistics, the weekly numbers of enterovirus-related emergency department visits are 345, 284, 326, and 353 respectively during the period of 3/25 and 4/21. The figures indicate a stable trend compared to the same period last year.
 
DOH reminds the staff at daycare facilities and parents with children that young kids under the age of 5 are highly susceptible to severe enterovirus complications. The agency urged households with young children to take measures to prevent transmissions among siblings. These include disinfecting home with diluted bleach, keeping room ventilated, and regularly wiping and air-drying toys.
 
Symptoms of severe enterovirus complications may include myoclonic jerks, persistent vomiting, shortness of breath, and an increased heart rate. Enterovirus D68 could lead to severe symptoms including limb weakness and pneumonia. The agency reminds individuals with the aforementioned symptoms should seek medical care as soon as possible.
 
For more information, please visit the Chinese website of DOH
(https://health.gov.taipei/) or call the DOH helpline at 02-2375-3782.