Since the inception of the Talk Clean To Me blog, we have
included a blog on back to school infection prevention. Those of us who are parents know firsthand
that back to school often translates into colds, flus and other diseases such
as Pink Eye, Hand Foot Mouth or Chickenpox.
Unfortunately for some parents, back to school this year has lead to the
introduction of Enterovirus
D68 (EV-D68).
included a blog on back to school infection prevention. Those of us who are parents know firsthand
that back to school often translates into colds, flus and other diseases such
as Pink Eye, Hand Foot Mouth or Chickenpox.
Unfortunately for some parents, back to school this year has lead to the
introduction of Enterovirus
D68 (EV-D68).
Enteroviruses are a family of viruses that include 3
Polioviruses and 61 non-Polioviruses including Coxsackieviruses ,
Echoviruses
and 4 other Enteroviruses (e.g. Rhinovirus ). Next to the common cold, Enteroviruses are
the second most common viral infectious agents in humans causing upwards of 10
- 15 million infections each year in the United States. EV-D68 was first
identified in 1962 in California, however, for the last 40-odd years it has
been very rarely reported in the United States.
Polioviruses and 61 non-Polioviruses including Coxsackieviruses ,
Echoviruses
and 4 other Enteroviruses (e.g. Rhinovirus ). Next to the common cold, Enteroviruses are
the second most common viral infectious agents in humans causing upwards of 10
- 15 million infections each year in the United States. EV-D68 was first
identified in 1962 in California, however, for the last 40-odd years it has
been very rarely reported in the United States.
Due to the fact that EV-D68 is rarely identified, it has
been less studied and the ways in which it spreads are not as well
defined. Like other Enteroviruses,
EV-D68 causes respiratory illness and can be found in respiratory secretions
such as saliva, nasal mucous or sputum. It
is very likely that the virus is transmitted via direct contact with
respiratory sections and indirect contact with contaminated environmental
surfaces and fomites.
been less studied and the ways in which it spreads are not as well
defined. Like other Enteroviruses,
EV-D68 causes respiratory illness and can be found in respiratory secretions
such as saliva, nasal mucous or sputum. It
is very likely that the virus is transmitted via direct contact with
respiratory sections and indirect contact with contaminated environmental
surfaces and fomites.
The rarity of this virus, however, changed on August 15th and
August 23rd when Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri and the
University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital of Illinois notified the
CDC of an increase in patients examined and hospitalized with severe
respiratory illness . EV-D68 was identified in 19 of 22 specimens from
Kansas City and 11 of 14 specimens from Chicago. Ten (10)
additional states ; Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas,
Oklahoma, Kentucky and Utah have also reported clusters of Enterovirus
illness. Of the additional 10 states,
only Colorado and Iowa have confirmed EV-D68 as the causative agent. While Enterovirus infections as a whole are
common, the number of critically ill children who have required intensive care
has been unprecedented. Many of these children have a history of asthma or
wheezing.
August 23rd when Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri and the
University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital of Illinois notified the
CDC of an increase in patients examined and hospitalized with severe
respiratory illness . EV-D68 was identified in 19 of 22 specimens from
Kansas City and 11 of 14 specimens from Chicago. Ten (10)
additional states ; Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas,
Oklahoma, Kentucky and Utah have also reported clusters of Enterovirus
illness. Of the additional 10 states,
only Colorado and Iowa have confirmed EV-D68 as the causative agent. While Enterovirus infections as a whole are
common, the number of critically ill children who have required intensive care
has been unprecedented. Many of these children have a history of asthma or
wheezing.
At present there are no vaccines or antiviral medications
that can be used to prevent or treat EV-D68.
Infection prevention measures include hand hygiene using soap and water,
paying particular attention to hand washing after changing diapers, as well as
avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and disinfecting
frequently touched surfaces such as door knobs and shared items such as
toys. When choosing a disinfectant
however, it is important to understand that due to the rarity of EV-D68, most
commercially available disinfectants will not have specific claims against
EV-D68. As such look for products that
have claims against viruses within the same family such as Poliovirus, Coxsackieviruses
or Rhinovirus.
that can be used to prevent or treat EV-D68.
Infection prevention measures include hand hygiene using soap and water,
paying particular attention to hand washing after changing diapers, as well as
avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and disinfecting
frequently touched surfaces such as door knobs and shared items such as
toys. When choosing a disinfectant
however, it is important to understand that due to the rarity of EV-D68, most
commercially available disinfectants will not have specific claims against
EV-D68. As such look for products that
have claims against viruses within the same family such as Poliovirus, Coxsackieviruses
or Rhinovirus.
Here's hoping that this back to school this year does not
signal the start of a busy fall outbreak season! Influenza
and Norovirus
season are just around the corner!
signal the start of a busy fall outbreak season! Influenza
and Norovirus
season are just around the corner!
Bugging Off!
Nicole
