Clinical Diagnostics
1. SARS Detection | 2. HBV Detection| 3. Legionella | 4. Dengue Fever Detection | 5. Chromosomal Aneuploidy Detection | 6. EV71

6. EV71

Originally found in California during an outbreak of central nervous system diseases in 1969, EV71 (enterovirus 71) is a small RNA virus that belongs to the family of Picornaviridae. It was found to be capable of causing a variety of symptoms such as the milder hand, foot and mouth disease and the more severe and often fatal neurological complications like encephalitis and meningitis. Outbreaks were also found later in cities and countries like Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Sweden, to name a few. In 1998, over 400 children were infected in Taiwan, resulting in 78 deaths.

Children are more susceptible than adults to this highly pathogenic virus. It is often transmitted through ingestion and direct contact with respiratory and other secretions contaminated with EV71. Thus, nappy changing, ingestion of contaminated water and food have been very common ways of spreading the virus. There are currently no specific treatments of EV71 available. Medications administered aim at relieving symptoms like fevers and aches.