Infantshospitalized due to enterovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Heavy Rainfall Brings Rise in Infectious Diseases in Taiwan
Taiwan has seen a spike in cases of infectious diseases, particularly melioidosis and leptospirosis, following heavy rainfall from a typhoon last month. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a new case of melioidosis was reported in a woman in her 80s from central Taiwan, and five new cases of leptospirosis were reported last week, including two in southern Taiwan and three in central Taiwan. A death related to a previously confirmed melioidosis case was also reported last week.
Four of the leptospirosis cases were found to work in environments where livestock are butchered or sold, including two places where rats were found, and one of the people had direct exposure to flood water and mud. Eleven of the cases, including two newborns hospitalized last week, were infected with echovirus 11, which has been the dominant strain over the past four weeks.
The CDC Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-hui has advised caregivers of infants to pay special attention to signs of severe illness and seek medical attention as soon as possible. One of the infants, hospitalized for jaundice, showed a loss of appetite after returning home and was later rushed to a hospital with a rapid heartbeat, low blood oxygen levels, abnormal liver function tests, low blood platelet count, and a coagulation disorder. The mother of this case had a fever and sore throat before giving birth, so the baby was placed in an isolated nursery room immediately after birth and observed for four days before returning home.
Thirteen enterovirus cases with severe complications, including seven deaths, have been reported this year, the highest for the same period in six years. People should wear protective clothing and wash hands thoroughly when cleaning up flooded environments to prevent infection. The CDC reported 7,291 visits for enterovirus last week, which is below the epidemic threshold.
However, there is no publicly available information about the mother of the infant admitted last week to an intensive care unit due to a severe enterovirus infection. The child is still in the ICU, and it is suspected that the baby might have been infected by the mother, who had upper respiratory symptoms before giving birth, and the father, who had a fever at the time.
The woman with melioidosis has hypertension and diabetes and was not directly exposed to flood water or mud. She was hospitalized in an ICU and tested positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei, the bacteria that causes melioidosis. All the leptospirosis patients were discharged from hospitals after treatment.
To prevent the spread of these diseases, people should tell their doctor about any direct contact with floodwater, mud, or animals when seeking medical attention for a fever and other suspected symptoms. By taking precautions and seeking medical help promptly, individuals can help protect themselves and their families from these potentially serious infections.
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