Dozens of Australian babies have been infected with a virus that has no known cure, doctors say.
At least 11 cases of Parechovirus have been confirmed in Queensland since December, taking the total to 46 babies Australia-wide.
Parechovirus is a respiratory and intestinal disease that causes fever, rash, diarrhoea and irritability. Severe cases can lead to hepatitis or encephalitis, an acute inflammation of the brain.
Speaking to reporters in Brisbane and reported in The Guardian Australia, the director of Queensland Paediatric Infectious Diseases (QPID) laboratory, Associate Professor Theo Sloots said following the cases in Queensland, “The outbreak is Australia-wide now and we believe there are at least four types of the virus.”
The virus mainly infects infants but no-one knows where it comes from or how it occurs.
“This virus does not respond to common antibiotics,” said QPID Associate Professor Michael Nissen.
“It is important to diagnose the infection early and distinguish it from other possible causes.”
Until a cure or preventative vaccine is developed, Professor Nissen recommends good hygiene around babies, including washing hands at “common-sense” times: after going to the toilet, before eating, after wiping noses and after changing nappies.
