Articles: ENTEROVIRUS D68
WHAT IS ENTEROVIRUS D68?
Ø Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is one of more than 100 “non-polio enteroviruses”;
Ø Non-polio viruses are very common illnesses, anyone can become infected with non-polio enteroviruses;
Ø Infants, children, teenagers and individuals with a weakened immune system have a greater chance of contracting EV-D68 because they do not have adequate immunity protection from previous exposes to virus.
BACKGROUND
Ø The virus was first identified in California in 1962;
Ø Small numbers of EV-D68 were reported to CDC regularly since 1987;
Ø In 2014 the number of people infected with EV-D68 is much greater than it was reported in previous years;
Ø 79 cases from 2009 -2013;
Ø 678 cases from August 2014 till October 9, 2014;
Ø In the USA people are getting infected with enteroviruses in the summer and fall with declining number later in the fall.
TRANSMISSION
Ø Incubation period is 2-10 days;
Ø EV-D68 is transmitted via close contact with an infected person such as coughing, sneezing (i.e. airborne respiratory droplets) touching or shaking hands, touching objects, drinking water or eating food that contain the virus;
Ø Infected people can transfer EV-D68 even if they do not have any symptoms;
Ø EV-D68 virus can be found in an infected person’s feces, eyes, nose, saliva, blister fluids, nasal mucus, and sputum.
SYMPTOMS
Ø Most patients do not get very sick, however approximately 80-90% will develop mild symptoms like fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, skin rash, mouth blisters, body and muscle aches;
Ø Some people, especially those who suffer asthma or one of the COPD diseases can develop a worsening of symptoms, viral conjunctivitis, hand or mouth disease, viral meningitis, myocarditis, pericarditis (infection of the sac around the heart), encephalitis (infection of the brain), paralysis.
TREATMENT
Ø There is no cure for EV-D68 so patientswith mild symptoms can be treated symptomatically (i.e. fluids, fever, cough, antibiotics for secondary infections);
Ø People with severe symptoms should be managed in a hospital;
PREVENTION
Ø There is no vaccine to prevent the spread of EV-D68;
Ø Protect yourself from EV-D68 by washing your hands very often with water and soap, especially after the using of toilet;
Ø Avoid close contacts with patients with EV-D68;
Ø Clean and disinfect surfaces very often, wear a respirator, etc.
For more information, please visit the CDC website:
http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/2007IP/2007ip_part2.html#e
REFERENCE
Non-Polio Enterovirus D68. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/EV-D68.html