204 enterovirus infections confirmed this year: CDC

A total of 27 cases were confirmed last week and fewer than 40 confirmed cases reported a week before, but it is too early to say whether the infection situation is abating, as it requires one week to confirm reported cases, Chou said.

Most of the confirmed cases are infections of Enterovirus Type 71 (EV71) — a fatal strain that has spread to Taiwan from other Southeast Asian countries.

The virus enters the body through the gastrointestinal tract, where it thrives, and can move on to attack the nervous system. Children are more susceptible to the infection than healthy adults.

There is no vaccine for the virus, but frequent hand-washing and disinfection are known to help prevent infection.

Wu Han ping, a pediatrician with more than 10 years experience in treating serious enterovirus in the central county of Taichung, said that comatose sleep, vomiting, and spasms are symptoms of milder cases turning serious.

Health officials have suggested that people use diluted household bleach, which contains chlorine, as a disinfectant, instead of ethanol-based products that do not kill the potentially lethal virus.

The disinfectant can be applied to objects that young children often touch, such as door handles, tables, chairs, toys and books, to decrease the risk of contracting the virus that can thrive for days at room temperature.

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