Taiwan reports first enterovirus 71 infection of 2013
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported the first case of the more severe form of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), enterovirus 71 (EV71) in a 19-month old boy, according to a Taipai Times report today.
According to the report, the young child was hospitalized in China’s Hainan Province after developing symptoms — fever, decreased responsiveness, excessive sleepiness, muscle twitching and spasms. He was later diagnosed with EV 71.
He has since returned to Taiwan after his condition improved and has completely recovered from the viral illness.
The Taiwan CDC has reported at least three cases of HFMD with severe complications thus far caused by the coxsackie A virus.
HFMD is typically a benign and self-limiting disease. Most common in young children, it presents as fever, oral lesions and rash on the hands, feet and buttocks. The oral lesions consist of rapidly-ulcerating vesicles on the buccal mucosa, tongue, palate and gums. The rash consists of papulovesicular lesions on the palms, fingers and soles, which generally persist for seven to 10 days, and maculopapular lesions on the buttocks.
EV-71 has been implicated in HFMD outbreaks in Southeast Asia over the several years. EV 71 is a non-polio enterovirus.
Complications associated with HFMD caused by the more pathogenic EV-71 strain include encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, acute flaccid paralysis, pulmonary edema or hemorrhage and myocarditis. Most deaths in HFMD occur as a result of pulmonary edema or hemorrhage.
Since enterovirus activity has begun to peak, Taiwan CDC advises the public to take measures to ward off infection, including washing hands thoroughly and frequently, staying at home when sick, seeking medical assistance at a large hospital when prodromal symptoms of severe infection develop.
A enterovirus 71 vaccine is in development in Asia. China-based biopharmaceutical company, Sinovac Biotech Ltd recently announced preliminary top-line data from its Phase III clinical trial for it’s proprietary Enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine against hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).
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