Taiwan Grapples with Rising Enterovirus Concerns: Second Newborn Death Sparks Alarm

Echo 11 Strain Triggers Severe Complications, Prompting Heightened Awareness in Taiwan

Taipei, Taiwan - March 25 - The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced on Tuesday the tragic death of a second newborn this year due to severe complications from enterovirus infections. The news has raised concerns, prompting increased vigilance among the public.

The infant, a premature baby, was hospitalized with respiratory distress syndrome shortly after birth. In March, the baby developed sepsis, including low blood oxygen levels, bradycardia, hepatitis, and thrombocytopenia, ultimately succumbing to the illness on March 17.

According to CDC physician Lin Yung-ching (林詠青), the baby tested positive for enterovirus and was diagnosed with severe complications, passing away approximately one week after symptoms emerged. The strain responsible was identified as enteric cytopathic human orphan virus 11 (Echo 11), the same strain that claimed the life of another newborn earlier this year.

Lin reported that those who had direct contact with the baby, including family members, other infants in the ward, and medical staff, have not shown any symptoms. The source of the infection remains under investigation.

CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) stated that three severe enterovirus cases have been recorded in Taiwan this year, all linked to the Echo 11 strain. Tragically, two of these cases involved newborns who have died.

Tseng also noted that the number of severe cases in 2025 is slightly higher than the figures recorded during the same periods from 2021 to 2024. She provided the following severe enterovirus case counts: 0 in 2021, 3 in 2022, 11 in 2023, and 12 in 2024.

Lu Chun-yi (呂俊毅), head of the National Taiwan University Hospital Pediatric Infectious Diseases department, highlighted that children under 5 are a particularly vulnerable group for severe enterovirus infections.

The Echo 11 strain frequently presents with mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older children, such as a slight fever, cough, or rash. However, infants are at a significantly higher risk of severe complications, Lu explained.

The CDC has issued a reminder to pregnant women and caregivers of infants to prioritize personal hygiene. This includes washing hands before holding or feeding infants and avoiding contact with babies when exhibiting any symptoms.

Furthermore, the CDC emphasizes the importance of recognizing early warning signs of severe enterovirus infections, such as lethargy, unconsciousness, lack of energy, weak or numb limbs, and myoclonic seizures.