Description of the situation
17 June 1998
Disease Outbreak Reported
Enterovirus 71 has been reported as the cause of the current enteroviral outbreak in Taiwan, China. The report was based on an autopsy revealing the presence of enterovirus 71 in the spinal cord and medulla of a fatal case. As of 17 June, the outbreak has claimed 41 lives among infants and children throughout the island.
As there is no vaccine for the virus, the health authorities recommend that parents keep their children away from public places and make sure that children wash their hands often to reduce the risk of infection.