Enterovirus 71 is Deadly; Doctor Warns: Neighboring Countries Still Have Cases, Do Not Underestimate
Taiwan's CDC reports a rise in enterovirus cases, primarily Coxsackievirus A, with no current Enterovirus 71 (EV71) circulation in communities. However, EV71 remains prevalent in neighboring countries like Vietnam. Doctors emphasize EV71's high risk of severe illness and sequelae, urging continued vigilance and vaccination.
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- 📰 Published: April 17, 2026 at 19:03
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(Central News Agency Reporter Tseng Yi-ning, Taipei, April 17) In 1998, a mysterious illness claimed the lives of 78 children. Some children, who had stabilized, suddenly worsened on their way home and were declared dead upon return to the hospital. Doctors remind the public that Enterovirus 71 continues to be prevalent in neighboring countries, and parents should not underestimate its danger.
Regarding Taiwan's enterovirus situation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui told reporters today that the current enterovirus outbreak is on the rise but has not yet entered its epidemic phase. This is related to the gradual increase in temperature and frequent contact among students after school starts. The trend of cases rising from April to June and declining in July after summer vacation is consistent with previous years. Currently, community surveillance shows no signs of an Enterovirus 71 epidemic.
Domestically, Tseng Shu-hui pointed out that laboratory data shows the main circulating viruses this year have been Coxsackievirus A6, A16, and A4. Enterovirus 71 has not yet been detected. Last year, only a few sporadic cases of EV71 tested positive in the community, all of which were mild. The last major EV71 epidemic in Taiwan was in 2019, which resulted in 69 severe enterovirus cases, 53 of which tested positive for EV71.
Dr. Peng Chun-chih, Director of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at Mackay Memorial Hospital, stated at a health education press conference today that she has a very strong memory of 1998. At that time, a child came for treatment with hand, foot, and mouth disease. The child appeared stable, and the mother took him home. However, on the MRT, the child's condition deteriorated rapidly, and upon returning to the hospital, vital signs were unstable. A nurse who observed a sick child also noticed a change and immediately sought medical attention, but the child's vital signs were unstable upon arrival.
Dr. Chiu Cheng-hsun, Chairman of the Taiwan Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, pointed out that Enterovirus 71 is characterized by its high propensity to cause severe illness, capable of rapidly inducing encephalitis and cardiopulmonary failure, with a fatality rate of up to 20%. Even if survivors, they may suffer long-term sequelae. Furthermore, 53% of infected adults are asymptomatic, making them easy carriers of the virus, posing a risk to vulnerable infants and young children.
Dr. Chen Chih-jung, a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, explained that Taiwan's first wave of Enterovirus 71 broke out in 1998, resulting in 78 deaths and 405 severe cases that year. Since then, there has been an epidemic every three to four years, until a few sporadic cases appeared clinically in the winter of 2019. Subsequently, due to COVID-19 prevention measures, it disappeared. It has now been 7 years since the last major outbreak.
However, EV71 cases continue to occur in neighboring countries. Dr. Chen Chih-jung pointed out that Vietnam is the most severely affected, reporting 107,000 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease last year, with an EV71 positivity rate exceeding 40%. This year, among 25,000 cases, the EV71 positivity rate has also exceeded 56%.
Dr. Yang Sheng-nan, Chairman of the Taiwan Pediatric Society, stated that children under six years old are at high risk for severe enterovirus. Especially for children under two, whose immune systems are immature, the probability of developing severe illness if infected with EV71 is relatively high. Facing unavoidable infection risks, prevention should not rely solely on passive measures. Instead, it is important to seize the critical protection period before age six and get vaccinated early to build immunity, thereby reducing the risk of severe illness and sequelae. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 0417115
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Regarding Taiwan's enterovirus situation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui told reporters today that the current enterovirus outbreak is on the rise but has not yet entered its epidemic phase. This is related to the gradual increase in temperature and frequent contact among students after school starts. The trend of cases rising from April to June and declining in July after summer vacation is consistent with previous years. Currently, community surveillance shows no signs of an Enterovirus 71 epidemic.
Domestically, Tseng Shu-hui pointed out that laboratory data shows the main circulating viruses this year have been Coxsackievirus A6, A16, and A4. Enterovirus 71 has not yet been detected. Last year, only a few sporadic cases of EV71 tested positive in the community, all of which were mild. The last major EV71 epidemic in Taiwan was in 2019, which resulted in 69 severe enterovirus cases, 53 of which tested positive for EV71.
Dr. Peng Chun-chih, Director of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at Mackay Memorial Hospital, stated at a health education press conference today that she has a very strong memory of 1998. At that time, a child came for treatment with hand, foot, and mouth disease. The child appeared stable, and the mother took him home. However, on the MRT, the child's condition deteriorated rapidly, and upon returning to the hospital, vital signs were unstable. A nurse who observed a sick child also noticed a change and immediately sought medical attention, but the child's vital signs were unstable upon arrival.
Dr. Chiu Cheng-hsun, Chairman of the Taiwan Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, pointed out that Enterovirus 71 is characterized by its high propensity to cause severe illness, capable of rapidly inducing encephalitis and cardiopulmonary failure, with a fatality rate of up to 20%. Even if survivors, they may suffer long-term sequelae. Furthermore, 53% of infected adults are asymptomatic, making them easy carriers of the virus, posing a risk to vulnerable infants and young children.
Dr. Chen Chih-jung, a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, explained that Taiwan's first wave of Enterovirus 71 broke out in 1998, resulting in 78 deaths and 405 severe cases that year. Since then, there has been an epidemic every three to four years, until a few sporadic cases appeared clinically in the winter of 2019. Subsequently, due to COVID-19 prevention measures, it disappeared. It has now been 7 years since the last major outbreak.
However, EV71 cases continue to occur in neighboring countries. Dr. Chen Chih-jung pointed out that Vietnam is the most severely affected, reporting 107,000 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease last year, with an EV71 positivity rate exceeding 40%. This year, among 25,000 cases, the EV71 positivity rate has also exceeded 56%.
Dr. Yang Sheng-nan, Chairman of the Taiwan Pediatric Society, stated that children under six years old are at high risk for severe enterovirus. Especially for children under two, whose immune systems are immature, the probability of developing severe illness if infected with EV71 is relatively high. Facing unavoidable infection risks, prevention should not rely solely on passive measures. Instead, it is important to seize the critical protection period before age six and get vaccinated early to build immunity, thereby reducing the risk of severe illness and sequelae. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 0417115
Stand with the facts. Your sponsorship is the power to protect journalistic freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'One-Stop News' APP for instant updates.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, or transmitted without authorization.