Enterovirus-D68 (EV-D68)

Information provided by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is one of more than 100 non-polio enteroviruses. EV-D68 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness. Small numbers of EV-D68 have been reported regularly to CDC since 1987. However, this year the number of people reported with confirmed EV-D68 infection is much greater than that reported in previous years.

Symptoms

Often signs and symptoms of EV-D68 present themselves as symptoms of the common flu.

Individuals with mild cases of EV-D69 experience:

-          Fever

-          Runny nose

-          Sneezing

-          Coughing

-          Muscle and body aches

Individuals with more severe cases if EV-D68 develops wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Transmission

EV-D68 spreads like many other viruses—person to person through secretions such as saliva and mucus when an infected individual coughs, sneezes or touches a surface that is touched by others (doorknobs, desks, phones, toys, etc.)

Prevention

You can protect yourself from EV-D68 and many other viruses and infections by following basic hygiene practices such as:

-          Washing your hands with soap and warm water often

-          Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick

-          Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or sleeve—not your hands. If you do need to use your hand wash with soap and water immediately.

-          Clean frequently touched and trafficked surfaces regularly, especially if someone is sick

-          Stay home when you are sick and keep your child home from school when they are sick

Congressman Chris Smith has been in contact with Centers for Disease Control Director Dr. Thomas Frieden and New Jersey Department of health Commissioner Mary O’Dowd and is receiving updates on the suspected and confirmed cases in New Jersey and across the country.

News

10/2/2014 – NJ 101.5: CDC Confirms 4 new enterovirus cases in NJ

9/30/2014 Times of Trenton: Enterovirus D-68 confirmed in two more N.J. children, according to state health department

9/29/2014 Times of Trenton: What we learned: Parents briefed on death of Hamilton preschooler; CDC investigating

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