TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 衛生福利部疾病管制署) announced on Tuesday (Dec. 16) that Taiwan's enterovirus outbreak has subsided, with outpatient visits totaling 10,283 from Dec. 7 to 13. This figure marks a 3.7% decrease from the previous week, indicating the country has remained below the epidemic threshold for two consecutive weeks, according to Kuo Hung-wei (郭宏偉), head of the CDC's epidemic center.
Kuo noted that laboratory monitoring over the past four weeks showed that the community's predominant enterovirus strain is coxsackievirus A16, followed by types A6 and A4. Despite the declining trend, the CDC has recorded 19 severe enterovirus cases this year, including nine fatalities. Most of these cases involved echovirus 11, marking the highest number of cases in the same period over the past six years, according to a press release.
Even though the outbreak has waned, Kuo cautioned that community transmission risks persist, with 5 to 7 positive cluster cases reported weekly over the last month. CDC spokesperson Lin Ming-cheng (林明誠) emphasized that while the national figures remain below the epidemic threshold, some counties and cities still experience outbreaks. Lin reminded the public that Taiwan functions as a single living circle, urging continued vigilance.
The CDC advised that enterovirus carriers are most contagious during the first week of illness. Parents should ensure infected children stay home and avoid contact with other children to prevent further spread. The agency also warned that newborns infected with enterovirus might exhibit symptoms such as fever or hypothermia. These symptoms can rapidly progress to severe conditions if not treated promptly, necessitating immediate medical attention.