Enterovirus D68 reaches Vermont

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday confirmed the first known case of enterovirus D68 in the State of Vermont. CDC revealed that a single test result, from a preschool child who has since recovered from the illness, revealed the presence of the virus.

CDC

To date, CDC has found EV-D68 in 514 patients in 43 U.S. states. It has so far not turned up in Florida, Tennessee, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Alaska or Hawaii. According to a CNN report yesterday, EV-D68 was detected in four people who recently died, including a ten-year-old girl from Rhode Island. It is uncertain whether EV-D68 was a cause in the deaths or even a factor. The Rhode Island girl's doctor indicated that her death was primarily due to a severe bacterial infection rather than the EV-D68 virus.

Enteroviruses are common, particularly this time of year. But the EV-D68 variety has been associated with severe respiratory illness in infants, children and teens. While mild symptoms include those associated with a common cold, severe symptoms may include difficulty breathing. The CDC has warned that those with asthma are at risk of severe symptoms.

"This confirms what we expected, that this particular virus is circulating in Vermont just as it is in most other states," said Vermont state epidemiologist Patsy Kelso upon learning of the CDC confirmation.

The Vermont Department of Health notes that regular hand washing is the best precaution against contracting the enterovirus. Those who are sick are advised to remain home, to cover their coughs and sneezes and to avoid close contact with others.

There is no specific treatment for EV-D68, but parents of ill children are advised to immediately contact a healthcare professional if the children experience any breathing difficulty or if symptoms are worsening.

Back on Sept. 12, the Vermont Department of Health circulated an advisory letter through state schools. The letter described the illness, the risks involved and the best methods of protecting against the spread of the virus. "In the event that this virus spreads to Vermont," the letter said, "we want to provide you with information about the illness and how to prevent it from spreading in your community."