A National Taiwan University Hospital's research team has discovered the mechanism by which enterovirus 71 develops into a disease. The highly valued breakthrough is considered a big step forward in developing an effective cure for diseases caused by enteroviral infections. The research has already been published in an international journal.

Every year, 200,000 to 300,000 school-age children suffer enteroviral infections.

Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) infections can result in aseptic meningitis, myocarditis, and even death.

Following three years of research, a National Taiwan University team discovered that the virus infects human microRNA-141 cells, which in turn causes healthy cells to die.

The researchers also discovered that inhibitor drugs decreased the number of infected cells by 1,000 times within one day.

Because there are currently no vaccines or drugs for preventing or treating EV-71 and the disease's fatality rate is as high as 20%, the research team is optimistic that the discovery can aid the development of enterovirus drugs in the future.

The team's findings have been featured in an American microbiology journal, and researchers will start conducting animal and clinical trials within the next two years.

In the meantime, experts say that washing hands frequently is the best way to prevent the disease.