Staff Writer
The
Enterovirus D68, a viral infection that mainly affects young people, has spread
to the east side of the country and more recently six cases have been reported in
North Carolina by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. Symptoms
include: runny nose, sneezing and coughing, headaches, muscle aches and fever.
Cases reported have ranged from mild to severe, with the virus more commonly
affecting children under the age of five who have a respiratory illness. “Most of the children who got very ill with EV-D68 infection in
Missouri and Illinois had difficulty breathing, and some had wheezing. Many of
these children had asthma or a history of wheezing,” says the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the illness is more commonly
caught by young children, it’s still important to work to prevent becoming sick
as EV-D68 has no vaccine.
After
children, teens are the next likeliest age group to be affected. In the United
States, you are also more likely to be affected in autumn, especially in
September. “From mid-August to
September 18, 2014, a total of 153 people in 18 states were confirmed to have
respiratory illness caused by EV-D68,” says the CDC. Though the number is
fairly low, this could be because it’s a challenge to identify EV-D68, as
enteroviruses are not uncommon. Most colds are enteroviruses, and sometimes
this specific EV is not diagnosed and the only way to diagnose this illness would
be by doing specific lab tests. While the CDC has confirmed that EV-D68 is now
in 32 states and has infected 220 people, no deaths have occurred. The
University of North Carolina Children’s Hospital say there is, “Little cause
for concern.” But to be safe, one should be vigilant and work toward prevention.
The CDC is working with several states to search
out suspected clusters of cases. EV-D68 was first identified in 1962 in California
and severe cases were reported in 10 states, including North Carolina. This illness is spread through close
contact with those who have been infected. To reduce the risk of catching
EV-D68, it is recommended to avoid contact with frequently touched surfaces and
to follow normal hygiene procedures.
