Keywords: Fuyang, Anhui Fuyang, Enterovirus, Enterovirus EV71 infection, Enterovirus EV71, EV71 virus, Hand-foot-mouth disease, Fuyang epidemic, EV71
High-risk population:
Mostly occurs in infants and toddlers under 3 years old.
Q: What is Enterovirus EV71 infectious disease?
A: Enterovirus EV71 is a type of human enterovirus, abbreviated as EV71. It commonly causes hand-foot-mouth disease and viral pharyngitis in children. Severe cases may develop pulmonary edema or encephalitis, collectively referred to as Enterovirus EV71 infection diseases.
Q: Who is prone to this disease?
A: This disease often occurs in preschool children, especially infants and toddlers under 3 years old. Adults can also be infected. Poor environmental hygiene, poor food hygiene, and bad personal hygiene habits can lead to the onset of the disease. Most cases are mild and curable. A few patients may develop encephalitis, meningitis, pulmonary edema, or circulatory failure, which can be life-threatening when severe.
Q: In which season does this disease occur most easily, and how does it spread?
A: This disease can occur throughout the year but is more common from April to September. The modes of transmission include:
1. Close contact among people is an important way of transmission. Children can be infected through contact with virus-contaminated hands, towels, handkerchiefs, tooth cups, toys, tableware, milk bottles, bedding, underwear, etc.
2. Viruses in the throat secretions and saliva of patients can spread through the air (droplets). Therefore, close contact with sick children can lead to infection.
3. Drinking or eating virus-contaminated water or food can also cause infection.
Main symptoms:
Often start with fever accompanied by coughing early on.
Q: What are the initial symptoms of this disease?
A: After being infected with Enterovirus EV71, children often start with fever, usually around 38°C. Fever is accompanied by rashes on the mouth, hands, and buttocks, or oral mucosal vesicles. Some patients have early symptoms like coughing that resemble colds. One to two days after the fever starts, rashes appear, usually on the palms and soles, but they can also appear on the buttocks. Some children do not have fever but only show rashes on their hands, feet, and buttocks or herpangina, with milder conditions. Most children recover within a week as their body temperature drops and rashes fade.
Q: If a child shows symptoms such as fever and rashes, what should parents do?
A: If you find your child has a fever and rashes, take them to a regular hospital as soon as possible. Once the child is sick, they should stop going to kindergarten or school to avoid infecting others and prevent catching other diseases. Follow the doctor's advice to decide whether to stay for observation or hospitalization.
The family of the patient should disinfect daily items, toys, diapers with soap and disinfectant. Boil feeding utensils and tableware for disinfection. The patient's feces and other excretions can be disinfected with disinfectants or bleach; expose clothes and bedding to sunlight, and keep the indoor area ventilated.
Preventive measures:
Try not to bring infants and toddlers to crowded places.
Q: How can families prevent this disease?
A: Spring and summer are seasons when enterovirus infections are likely to occur. Pay attention to environmental, food, and personal hygiene. Do not drink raw water or eat raw and cold food, wash hands before meals and after using the toilet, and keep indoor air circulating. Try not to bring infants and toddlers to crowded places. Nursing mothers should bathe frequently and change clothes regularly, and clean nipples before breastfeeding.
Q: How can kindergartens and daycare centers prevent this disease?
A: Childcare facilities where children live and study collectively should conduct morning health checks, identify children with fever and rashes, and immediately ask parents to take the child to see a doctor while reporting to relevant departments. The sick child should rest at home and should not continue attending school.
After discovering a child with fever and rashes, immediately disinfect toys, bedding, chairs, tables, etc. Also, ensure proper disinfection of the cafeteria, toilets, and classrooms. Keep classrooms and dormitories well-ventilated.
If childcare workers, teachers, or other staff members have fever and rashes, they should immediately stop working.
Q: How can primary schools prevent this disease?
A: Primary schools should conduct daily morning health checks. Identify children with fever and rashes, immediately require parents to take them to see a doctor, and report to relevant departments. Sick students should not continue attending school but should rest at home.
After school teachers discover students with fever and rashes, immediately disinfect bedding, chairs, tables, sports equipment, etc. Also, ensure proper disinfection of classrooms, dormitories, cafeterias, and toilets. Keep classrooms and dormitories well-ventilated.