Investigation and successful control of an echovirus 11 outbreak in neonatal intensive care units

Echovirus 11 emerged as a predominant enterovirus strain and was associated with neonatal mortalities in Taiwan in 2018. We investigated an echovirus 11 outbreak in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in a tertiary hospital in northern Taiwan and analyzed infection control efforts.

Between May and June 2018, an outbreak of 10 infants with echovirus 11 infections occurred in the NICUs. Comprehensive surveillance, including virus isolation, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and consequential degenerate hybrid oligonucleotide primer (CODEHOP) methods, were arranged for specimens (rectal or throat swabs), which were obtained from all contacts, newly admitted cases, and suspected cases during the outbreak since June 2.

Ten cases were identified with echovirus 11 infection in this outbreak. Eight of these 10 confirmed cases were identified by viral isolation, and the remaining two cases were identified by RT-PCR surveillance. In addition to confirmed cases, the surveillance of 19 contacts, 47 newly admitted cases, and nine suspected cases showed negative results. All confirmed cases eventually recovered.

RT-PCR and CODEHOP methods significantly shorten the time of laboratory diagnosis of enterovirus infection compared with conventional methods. The outbreak of echovirus 11 in the NICUs was caused by three imported cases and was successfully controlled by the implementation of isolation, rapid surveillance, reinforced disinfection, and infection control measures.