WESTFIELD – The state department of public health confirmed one case of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) this week in southeastern Massachusetts, and there are suspected cases locally.
Noble Hospital Vice President of Medical Affairs Dr. Stanley Strzempko, MD, said the hospital has seen several patients in the emergency room who presented symptoms consistent with EV-D68 and they were transferred to Bystate Medical Center for testing.
Baystate’s Keith O’Connor said the center sent several tests to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We have not received any results yet,” O’Connor said yesterday. “We have no confirmed cases on enterovirus.”
Strzempko said the patients seen at Noble were children who all had manageable symptoms.
EV-D68 is one of many non-polio enteroviruses. This virus was first identified in California in 1962, but it has not been commonly reported in the United States.
From mid-August to Sept. 24, 2014, a total of 220 people in 32 states were confirmed to have respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. The cases of EV-D68 infection were confirmed by CDC or state public health laboratories that notified CDC. So far, all the cases have been among children, except for one adult.
Strzempko said the virus is like any other virus as far as there being very little treatment, however, the reason EV-D68 has become an issue is because it causes respiratory distress, particularly in children with other respiratory conditions, such as asthma.
“The thing to really look for is respiratory distress,” said Strzempko. “If you have a child you feel is working really hard to breathe, or has a persistent cough with respiratory distress, or respiratory symptoms with a high fever, it could be enterovirus.”
Strzempko said there is a two-step process to test for EV-D68. If the first test is positive, a second, more comprehensive test, is administered.
“It is very manageable and there should be no sense of panic,” Strzempko said. “We need to support these patients with supplemental oxygen.”
Strzempko said the symptoms are similar for kids with croup or bronchiolitis. He added that he suspects Noble has seen cases of EV-D68 because it is not yet the season for bronchiolitis.
You can help protect yourself from respiratory illnesses by following these steps:
Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
