| Salt Lake Tribune | - |
An
unusually large number of children are showing up at Primary Children's
Hospital with serious respiratory problems, and doctors there suspect
it is Enterovirus D68, a nasty virus that's sweeping through other
states.
Nasty virus affecting children suspected in Utah
By Kristen Moulton
| The Salt Lake Tribune
An unusually large number of children are
showing up at Primary Children’s Hospital with serious respiratory
problems, and doctors there suspect it is Enterovirus D68, a nasty virus
that’s sweeping through other states.
Enterovirus D68 is like a severe cold, but can be especially troublesome for those with asthma or other lung conditions.
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The Salt Lake City hospital has seen an uptick
in hospitalizations, much as has been reported in Colorado, North
Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and
Kentucky. Some children have been placed in intensive care units.
"In the past two weeks, Primary Children’s has
seen increased numbers of children admitted to the hospital with serious
respiratory disease symptoms, including pneumonia and asthma," a
statement from the hospital said.
While many are testing positive for the family
of viruses that includes D68, there is no test that identifies the
specific strain.
Bonnie Midget, spokeswoman at Primary
Children’s, said the hospital does not expect confirmation that D68 is
in Utah until later in the week.
The hospital worked with the Utah Health
Department to send samples to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, said Tom Hudachko, spokesman for the health department.
He said no other hospitals have reported a
similar cluster of illnesses, but because it seems to afflict mostly
children, it’s logical that Primary Children’s hospital would report it
first.
According to the Associated Press, hundreds of children nationwide have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.
The virus is related to rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. There is no specific vaccine for D68.
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Primary Children’s said it has increased its
surveillance of respiratory illness. It is planning for increased
numbers of children hospitalized for respiratory illnesses much earlier
than the usual winter season.
Parents should know that most children with
cold symptoms are not going to get severely ill, the hospital said in a
statement. However, if a child has difficulty breathing or is wheezing,
they should see their primary care provider or seek medical attention.
"People can help protect themselves and their
children," said Andrew Pavia, chief of pediatric infectious diseases and
Primary Children’s epidemiologist. "Wash your hands frequently, avoid
close contact with people who are sick, disinfect frequently-touched
surfaces, and stay home if you are ill."
According to the CDC, enteroviruses cause
between 10 million and 15 million infections a year, often hitting
children who are in closer physical contact in schools and play areas
than are most adults in the workplace. The start of school after summer
vacation is considered a peak season for the infections.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
Twitter: @KristenMoulton
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