Staff report
news@wbcowqel.com

Hospitals across the country, including Ohio, are being inundated with patients suffering from respiratory issues related to Enterovirus D68. Children and those with asthma seem to be especially susceptible to the virus.

The Crawford County General Health District has issued a communique to inform residents about the virus also known as EV-D68. Although originally identified in the 1960s, less than 100 cases of EV-D68 have been identified until now. Symptoms begin much like the common cold and include sneezing, coughing and a runny nose. Those can develop into difficulty breathing, wheezing, fever and a rash. There is no vaccine or known treatment at this time. Prevention includes washing hands often, avoid physical contact with people who are ill and disinfect surfaces.

Below is the communique in its entirety issued by Cynda Brause, Crawford County General Health District’s director of nursing.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EV-D68
Crawford County General Health District wants Parents to Know the Facts

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently watching an increase in the number of children going to the hospital for severe respiratory illness. Scientists believe that the cause of the current increase in hospital visits is Enterovirus D68, also known as EV-D68.

Enteroviruses are common, especially in September, but this type is not. There have been less than 100 cases since it was identified in the 1960s, according to the CDC. Here is what you need to know as a parent:

Symptoms:
The illness will start off like the common cold: sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose. These symptoms are common for anyone with an enterovirus. But EV-D68 has been reported to cause mild to severe respiratory illness. These symptoms can include having a hard time breathing, wheezing, fever, and a rash. However, all of the symptoms of EV-D68 illness are not known.

When to Call Your Doctor:
Although it’s difficult in the beginning to tell the difference between a regular cold and this virus, there are certain symptoms to watch for. Call or visit your doctor if your child has a hard time breathing or if your child develops a fever or rash. Children with asthma or a history of breathing problems are more likely to have severe symptoms.

How to Keep Your Children Healthy:
There is no vaccine for EV-D68. You can help protect yourself and your children by taking these steps:
• Wash your hands often, with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid kissing, hugging and sharing cups and utensils with people who are sick.
• Disinfect surfaces that get touched a lot, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.

How is it Treated?
There is no treatment for EV-D68. Many times a person’s illness will be mild and they will get better on their own. But some people may have a more severe illness and will need to go to the hospital.

How Does the Virus Spread?
The way that EV-D68 spreads is not as well-understood as other enteroviruses. The CDC says the virus can be found in respiratory secretions such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum. The virus likely spreads from person to person when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces.

Where it Started & Where is it Spreading
It started in Missouri and Illinois and now other states including Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Utah have reached out to the CDC for help in identifying clusters of enterovirus illness. There are confirmed cases in four states: Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. There are no confirmed cases in Huron County or Ohio at this time. The Ohio Department of Health is arranging for specimens to be tested at the CDC. Updates will be sent as more information and guidance become available.