Since the discovery of enterovirus 71 (EV71) in 1969, numerous outbreaks have occurred worldwide in countries in Europe, America, and the West Pacific region (1). Since 1997, the prevalence of EV71 infection in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in southeast Asia, has greatly increased. Outbreaks have been recorded in Malaysia (subgenogroups B3, B4, B5, and CI), Singapore (subgenogroups B3, B4, and CI), Japan (subgenogroups B4, CI, and C4), and mainland China and Taiwan (subgenogroups B4, C2, and C4) (2). Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) cases with EV71-associated neurological syndrome continually increased in many countries during the past 10 years (3). EV71 infection has become an important issue in public health.
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