By CHISATO MATSUMOTO/ Staff Writer
March 10, 2025 at 16:31 JST
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
The health ministry launched a nationwide investigation in February of echovirus 11, which primarily affects newborns and young children, following the deaths of three newborns infected with the enterovirus in Japan last year.
“Echovirus 11 can present in various clinical forms, and it is unclear at this stage whether the severity is increasing,” said Taro Kamigaki, director of the surveillance group at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID).
Echovirus 11 infections can be asymptomatic, or cause cold symptoms or, in rare cases, lead to severe conditions such as aseptic meningitis or encephalitis. The virus is transmitted through droplets and fecal matter.
The three infected newborns died between August and November of last year after developing acute liver failure and other severe symptoms at one medical institution, according to the NIID.
The NIID’s research into the domestic infection situation revealed 44 registered cases of echovirus 11, as of the end of November last year, including 11 connected to severe cases of meningitis or encephalitis and two cases of hepatitis.
However, since echovirus 11 cases were not yet being comprehensively tracked nationwide, further data collection was required.
In February, the health ministry issued a notice requesting medical institutions to report to public health centers any cases of babies aged 3 months or younger who are suspected of having echovirus 11 and are hospitalized with severe symptoms such as acute liver failure.
The nationwide survey will continue until March next year.
France reported a series of deaths among newborns infected with echovirus 11 between 2022 and 2023, with an increase in severe cases. Similar reports followed from Italy and other countries.
The World Health Organization assessed the public health risk as low but recommended that countries continue to monitor cases.
The Japan Pediatric Society also issued a warning about echovirus 11 to health care workers in December.
“Implementing general infection control measures such as hand washing, cough etiquette and seeking medical attention when feeling ill is crucial,” said Kamigaki.
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