Virus Spreading Among Children In China

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Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Public Health
Article Date: 05 May 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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The number of children infected with an intestinal virus (Enterovirus 71) continues to rise in China - the total number of deaths officially reported has risen to 26. 8,500 children have been infected, say authorities, the bulk of them in Anhui province where 600 new cases were reported on Sunday.

During the weekend a nationwide alert was issued in an effort to stem the spread of the outbreak. Health care professionals and local authorities have been instructed to report all new cases within 24 hours.

There is criticism about sloppy reporting and an attempt to cover things up by local authorities. An outbreak which emerged in March this year in Fuyang city was not reported until over a month later. Since China was seen as incompetent in the initial handling of the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak in 2003 authorities are sensitive to any kind of disease outbreak condemnation.

According to the WHO (World Health Organization) Beijing representative, Hans Troedsson, the delay in reporting at local level may be because "they didn't know what the causes for these different cases were."

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) Neurological Disease

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) neurological disease is an uncommon but serious complication of Enterovirus 71 infection. EV71 is a virus which can also cause hand, foot and mouth disease. Although Enterovirus 71 causes frequent outbreaks of hand foot and mouth disease, cases or outbreaks of Enterovirus 71 neurological disease are rare and occur almost exclusively in children. Paralysis, if it does happen, usually does so with children under 2, while meningitis is more common among children aged 2-5 years.

Symptoms of EV71 Neurological Disease

-- Hand foot and mouth disease, which usually starts with a slight fever followed by blisters or ulcers on the hands, feet and mouth.

-- A small number of children may have a high fever, meningitis, encephalitis, and paralysis.

-- It generally takes from three to five days for symptoms to appear after initial contact with the virus.

-- Meningitis may occur about 1 to 3 days after the onset of fever.

-- Paralysis can occur within 10 to 30 hours after initial symptoms begin.

How does EV71 infection spread?

EV71 spreads by respiratory droplets, through contact with blister fluid, or contact with infected feces.

Treatment

As there is no proven treatment for the virus - doctors focus on the patient's symptoms.

How to prevent the spread of infection

-- Good hygiene is crucial.

-- All health care professionals and carers should wash their hands thoroughly with warm and soapy water.

-- Hands should be washed thoroughly after going to the toilet.

-- Hands should be washed thoroughly after touching soiled linen or articles before preparing or eating food.

-- It is vital that children learn how to wash their hands thoroughly before eating or drinking, and after going to the toilet.

Written by - Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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