Enterovirus D68 Confirmed in Four at CHOP

Human Enterovirus D68 has reached the Philadelphia area.

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, or CHOP, has confirmed that four patients there have tested positive for the respiratory illness, NBC10 said.

Through Sept. 16, 130 people in 12 states have been hospitalized with confirmed cases of D68 since mid-August, the Centers for Disease Control said. Hundreds more have been hospitalized with suspected cases.

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.

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.

Dr. Susan Coffin of CHOP said in a Facebook post that “while enterovirus D68 has reached Philadelphia, this is not a new virus. We have seen it in past fall respiratory seasons.”

Dr. Coffin recommends “good health hygiene,” including frequent hand-washing and staying home when sick.