EV 71: A Threat to the Olympics?

May 7th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under
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China, which is to host the Beijing Olympics, is now having a problem with another disease outbreak, the EV71 or also known as the Enterovirus 71. This highly infectious virus has already caused the deaths of 25 children in China. Could this child virus become a threat to the Olympics?

The EV71 was discovered late March of this year but it wasn’t until mid April that it was announced to the world. The delay was caused by difficulties in diagnosing the disease as there were no apparent signs and symptoms to the cause of death.

The virus is a severe type of hand, foot and mouth disease which affects young children. The signs of foot and mouth disease would be fever, mouth sores and rashes with blisters. This can easily be spread through sneezing and coughing. Usually, the children would fare well when infected with the disease and will eventually heal but there are cases when it can cause brain swelling, paralysis and even death.

It hasn’t been too long ago that the SARS became a threat to lives worldwide. Hopefully, the EV71 won’t come to that and a vaccine would be made to prevent the outbreak from going worldwide or even postpone the Beijing Olympics.

 


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