TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Centers for Disease Control on Thursday reported the first enterovirus-related death of the year, involving a newborn girl under 1 month old in northern Taiwan.

Within a week of the onset of symptoms, the infant died from multiple organ failure and neonatal sepsis, a bloodstream infection affecting infants under 90 days. Tests later revealed that severe complications from echovirus 11 were the cause of death, with the source of infection still under investigation, per CNA.

Echovirus 11, or echo 11, is a type of enterovirus that primarily affects newborns and young children, according to obstetrician-gynecologist Tsai Feng-po (蔡鋒博). Echo 11 can trigger severe hepatitis, leading to liver failure and impairing blood clotting functions.

CDC Deputy Director-General Tseng Shu-hui (曾淑慧) said the infant was admitted to a neonatal unit on Feb. 16 with breathing difficulties and reduced activity. By Feb. 19, she developed severe symptoms, and died on Feb. 23 from multiple organ failure and neonatal sepsis.

Two severe echo 11 enterovirus cases have been confirmed this year, including one fatality. The number of cases is similar to the same period between 2021 and 2024.

While enterovirus activity is currently low, the CDC notes that severe cases are still occurring. Historically, infection rates rise in March and April following school reopenings.

Peng Chun-chih (彭純芝) explained newborns lack protective antibodies for the first two weeks, making them extremely vulnerable to enterovirus. The CDC urged parents to watch for early signs, as these infections can progress to severe conditions such as hepatitis and septic shock.

Although echo 11 is a common enterovirus strain in newborns, the symptoms often differ from those in older children. Instead of the typical hand, foot, and mouth disease, infants usually present with fever and loss of appetite.

In these cases, the disease can progress quickly. It can lead to complications such as myocarditis, septic shock, hepatitis, meningitis, or multiple organ failure.

Since newborn enterovirus infections are often caused by mother-to-child transmission, Peng recommended pregnant women who feel unwell or have had possible infection exposure within two weeks of delivery to inform their doctors. Those who experience fever, cough, sore throat, diarrhea, or muscle pain in the two weeks before or after delivery should seek medical advice.

The CDC advised expectant mothers to maintain proper hand and respiratory hygiene throughout pregnancy. Family members and caregivers should wash their hands regularly with soap and avoid close contact with newborns if they are feeling unwell to help prevent virus transmission.