12 Children in Delaware Being Tested for EV-D68 Virus

Twelve children in Delaware are being tested for a rare respiratory virus that has already been blamed for sickening possibly hundreds of children in the Midwest.

Since mid-August, there have been 82 confirmed cases of human enterovirus D68, the Centers for Disease Control said Friday. Cases have been confirmed in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky and Missouri. If the tests in Delaware come back positive, those would be the first confirmed cases on the East Coast.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that 10 children in New Castle County, Del., one in Kent County and one in Sussex County are being tested for the virus.

EV-D68 can cause “mild to severe respiratory illness,” the CDC said, with symptoms that include fever; runny nose; sneezing; cough; body and muscle aches; difficulty breathing, and wheezing.

The Inquirer said that though there are only 82 confirmed cases, hospitals are reporting treating hundreds of children whose symptoms match those of the virus.

Those with asthma seem to be at a higher risk, the CDC said. The CDC said that “infants, children, and teenagers are most likely to get infected.”

There is no treatment for EV-D68, the CDC said. EV-D68 is believed to spread “from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces.”

The CDC recommends to following precautions:

• 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.

“While the test results will be helpful, it is most important to stop the spread of this illness, whether or not it is EV-D68,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Delaware Public Health Director. “Viruses that cause respiratory illness are easily spread and likely shared from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces. Sanitary precautions like regular hand washing, staying home when ill, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces are important.”