Enterovirus D68 Update

ENTEROVIRUS D68 UPDATE

It is the season for colds and Flu! Many viruses circulate this time of year, taking advantage of our more frequent indoor, close contact situations. One group of viruses called Enteroviruses, is a large group, with over 100 kinds. One kind that circulates less often is the Enterovirus -D68 (EV-D68). Most older people have been exposed to this strain, and likely have some immunity and will experience no symptoms, or mild symptoms. However, children have been exposed to this strain less frequently so it may affect them more severely. Children who have not been previously exposed to EV-D68 and also have other chronic health conditions, especially respiratory conditions such as asthma and wheezing, may come down with a more severe illness.

Enterovirus -D68 is now circulating in NJ. Although most will experience mild or no symptoms, there may be some who experience severe reactions. For information about what to know, what to look for, and what to do, please see the two links to the NJ Department of Health. One is “What Parents Need to Know about Enterovirus-D68, and the other is “Frequently Asked Questions about Enterovirus –D68”.

Although there is no vaccine available to protect against this virus, the usual ways to protect oneself from most illnesses can protect against EV-D68. Handwashing with soap and water (HAND GEL IS NOT EFFECTIVE AGAINST THIS VIRUS), good hygiene practices like keeping hands off the face and covering coughs in the elbow, eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep, helps the body’s immune system to defend against viruses. If your child has asthma, please discuss your treatment plan with your physician to keep it current. Flu vaccinations are also helpful to keep the body from reacting to flu and weakening it, which allows other infections like EV-D68 to cause more severe symptoms.

The Hillsborough Health Department has been in communication with the NJ Department of Health as well as the public school nurses and child care managers in our town, to assure that they know about the virus, know how to disinfect to protect against the virus, and to be sure they are watching for larger numbers of respiratory illness, or any cases of severe respiratory illness in our schools so that they can be reported right away, and further steps can be taken to contain it.

If you have any questions or concerns, please read the 2 links mentioned above or call the Hillsborough Health Department at 908-369-5652. These are the links:

1. What Parents Need to Know about Enteroviruses: www.cdc.gov/features/evd68/

2. Frequently Asked Questions: www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/faq/ev_faq.pdf.