Is enterovirus EV71 caused by environmental pollution?

The emergence of enterovirus EV71 has drawn attention from all sectors of society. This is because EV71 infection strikes suddenly and progresses rapidly, and the future trend of the epidemic remains unclear. What is most alarming is that there is currently no vaccine for EV71. The public is filled with anxiety and fear of being infected by EV71.

According to the latest reports, the number of children infected by the EV71 outbreak in Fuyang, Anhui Province, has sharply increased to over a thousand. Seeing this sudden rise in numbers makes one's heart ache. Most of the patients are young children - a group with weaker immunity. The cruel virus mercilessly attacks these defenseless children. Parents are extremely worried and wish to eliminate EV71 as soon as possible. Those who are already infected can only seek medical help urgently, while those who have not been infected must take preventive measures, isolating themselves from the virus to nip it in the bud.

So where does the enterovirus EV71 come from? Is it due to environmental pollution? Why did EV71 appear in Fuyang, and why are most of the affected children in rural areas? Relevant experts have analyzed that Fuyang has a large floating population, and the recent temperature is higher than usual, making it easy for springtime infectious diseases to spread. In rural areas, due to poor hygiene conditions, when residents notice their children have a high fever, they first think it is just a common fever and fail to provide proper treatment, thus delaying the condition. In fact, the EV71 virus is a global infectious disease virus and is not uncommon. It mainly affects children under the age of 3. Currently, no cases of EV71 infection have been found in Shenyang. EV71 is not a bacterium but an enterovirus, which is much more contagious than intestinal bacteria. Moreover, this virus can cause hand-foot-mouth disease and viral pharyngitis in children. Severe cases may develop into encephalitis, meningitis, pulmonary edema, and circulatory failure, which can be life-threatening if severe.

How can we prevent this? With the arrival of summer, temperatures gradually rise, bacteria begin to reproduce faster, and various foods, water, drinks, and items are easily contaminated by bacteria. If one's intestinal resistance is weak and self-health awareness is lacking, eating food contaminated by bacteria can easily lead to illness. Exposure to cold or heat, excessive consumption of cold drinks, and binge eating can all disrupt digestive functions, allowing bacteria like EV71 to invade. Paying attention to diet is important, but focusing solely on diet is far from enough.

The rapid spread of EV71 is mainly due to poor hygiene practices among infected individuals. If our surroundings contain the virus, we are constantly at risk of infection. How can we protect our environment so it doesn't become a source of virus transmission? Besides setting an example by maintaining good hygiene, it is even more crucial to constantly remind those around us and convey the concept of environmental protection to everyone. By working together, we can create an environment isolated from viral infections.

Even in such a civilized city as Guangzhou, we still see many uncivilized individuals who disregard environmental pollution and litter indiscriminately. Easily decomposable garbage piles up, leading to the breeding of viruses and bacteria. What infuriates me even more is that even now, many people, whether professionals or intellectuals, let alone manual laborers, lack any sense of environmental protection and spit anywhere. Guangzhou is a city with serious air pollution, causing many people to suffer from ear, nose, and throat diseases. When these people spit indiscriminately, they further infect others. Such behaviors that disregard others' feelings for temporary comfort only lead to increasingly deteriorating environments, making the population more susceptible to infections. By the time everyone loses their health, it will be too late to regret.

The number of floating populations in Guangzhou cannot be fully represented by data. The outbreak of EV71 infections in Fuyang serves as a warning bell. Environmental protection cannot wait, and Guangzhou has also proposed the slogan of improving sanitation this year. Therefore, please, those who litter indiscriminately and spit everywhere, show some restraint and truly help maintain the city we live in. Let us coexist harmoniously with the environment of Guangzhou and jointly protect our home!