The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicated that people have to be careful of enterovirus infections given recent rises in temperature. To help each city and county respond to enteroviruses, the CDC set up an epidemic threshold of enterovirus infection. If the number of outpatients and emergency attendances exceeds the threshold, enterovirus infections have become epidemic in a city or county. 

　　The CDC further indicated that the epidemic threshold of enterovirus infections were based on the weekly number of outpatients and emergency attendances over the past three years (2013-2015) and was used to monitor the actual weekly number of outpatients suffering from enterovirus infections. As of April 12, the number of outpatients and emergency attendances in Week 14 (April 3-9) in each city or county did not exceed the respective threshold. This year, nine cases of enterovirus type 71 have been screened (8 minor and 1 severe). Last year, there were six severe cases of enterovirus infection, including three cases of coxsackievirus type B5, two cases of coxsackievirus type A16, and one case of echovirus type 3, among which two patients died. 

　　In response to the possibility of a pandemic enterovirus type 71, the CDC has formed a response task force and has designated 76 hospitals nationwide to treat severe cases of enterovirus infection. In addition, the CDC has set up the “enterovirus education course” on its official website, where people can download videos, posters, and leaflets for preschool children, who are a high-risk group of enterovirus infections. Nursery service centers and educational institutions have also been provided with the Enterovirus Prevention Guidebook for Educators and Childcare Providers, which contains recommendations for environmental disinfection, leave/class suspension, and medical treatment of enterovirus infections. For related promotional materials, please visit the Health 99 Education Resource of Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare. 

　　Enteroviruses are highly contagious and easily spread in family and nursery service centers and educational institutions. If a child is diagnosed with an enterovirus infection, he/she should avoid contacting other children or going to their cram school, after-school program, or other crowded public places in order to minimize the spread of enterovirus infection. Parents should pay special heed to whether children have precursory symptoms of severe enterovirus infection, including: drowsiness, unconsciousness, poor vitality, weakness in limbs, myoclonic seizure (undue shock or sudden muscle contractions), persistent vomiting, and shortness of breath or rapid heartbeat, in order to seize the opportunity for timely treatment. 
For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the Taiwan CDC toll-free hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922) for enquiries (available at all times). If calling from another country, please call the international hotline +886-800-001922 (caller is responsible for international telephone fees).