Schools, doctors warn of EV-D68 virus
After an erroneous report of the rare respiratory enterovirus at Bethel Park High School, experts are saying there is no more cause for alarm than the common cold.
Allegheny County Health Director Dr. Karen Hacker told Bethel Park School District Sept. 18 that the Centers for Disease Control have not confirmed any cases of EV-D68 in the county, despite a district letter saying there was a student believed to be infected with the virus.
“At the time we received the information (on Sept. 18.), we believed it to be credible and we acted in good faith to send you the letter regarding what we believed was a potential health risk. We apologize for releasing incorrect information prematurely and that is why we are contacting you as soon as possible with updated and correct information,” said an updated letter from superintendent Nancy Aloi Rose.
All of the nearly 130 cases across 12 states confirmed by the CDC are children.
“Viruses affect different age populations differently, and so there may be plenty of adults with this, but their symptoms may not be as severe or showing at all,” said chief of emergency medicine at Children’s Hospital, Dr. Richard Saladino.
“We’re seeing kids who’ve never wheezed before with severe episodes of it, and that could be an indicator. Other symptoms are typical of a cold, with running nose and coughing, and in some cases, but not often, a running fever,” he said.
There is no vaccine for EV-D68, and Dr. Saldino said a flu shot is not going to help.
“That’s inoculation for influenza, and these enterovirus strains are so common overall that you can’t get a vaccine for them. This is just a rare sub-strain of a more common strain.”
Though Saladino can’t confirm any cases of EV-D68, UPMC has sent out samples for what he said were suspect cases.
“We’ve seen a 20-35 percent uptick since August in emergency room visits, and most have been for respiratory infections. We were seeing about 200 patients a day in the ER, now we’re seeing an average of 260.”
Saladino advises parents to treat symptoms of the virus like other respiratory infections, with plenty of sleep and fluids, and if heavy wheezing persists, to take the child to the emergency room. For prevention, he said washing hands and covering a person’s face when sneezing or coughing are most practical.