As the number of cases of a newly resurgent respiratory infection continues to increase, public health officials are stressing common-sense precautions coupled with a reminder to keep risks in perspective.
The illness is caused by a strain of enterovirus that causes cold and flu-like symptoms, has been affecting children and teens in the Midwest since mid-August, according to Jeanette St. Pierre, a spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Tuesday, there had been 130 confirmed cases across 12 states: Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and — closer to home — New York and Pennsylvania.
There have been no fatalities, according to St. Pierre, but some children have been hospitalized for difficulty breathing, primarily children with a history of asthma.
Enteroviruses are part of a large family that includes specific bugs that cause colds, fevers and sometimes flu-like symptoms in the stomach, according to Dr. Henry Taylor, Carroll County Health Department deputy health officer.
"Enteroviruses are common; there are more than 100 types causing 10 to 15 million infections each year," Taylor said. "This particular strain, EV-D68, has been seen for over 50 years but seems to be more widespread than before."
If you think of the whole family of enteroviruses as a brand of car manufacturer, Taylor said, then the EV-D68 type is this year's model of a particular make.
There have been no confirmed cases of EV-D68 in Maryland or in Carroll County at this time, Taylor said, but that could change.
"We are neighboring to Pennsylvania and due to our highly mobile society, this particular type of enterovirus may be in circulation," he said. "Doctors, nurses, health departments, hospitals, laboratories, CDC and others are monitoring the situation closely."
Although EV-D68 can be a serious infection for some individuals, its potential presence in the community is not a cause for panic, said Dr. Arvinv Narasimhan, medical director at Doctors Express in Pikesville. The pool of people who could face potentially severe symptoms is quite small.
"The people at greatest risk are the immuno-suppressed, like those doing chemotherapy, the very young and the very old. Those folks are at a greater risk for significant complications from something like this," he said. "In most folks, it will be a self-limiting thing."
Although EV-D68 is newly resurgent and grabbing headlines, Taylor said it is important to keep the risks in perspective: It would be a mistake to panic over EV-D68 in particular when those individuals most at risk from the virus are generally the same at risk from other seasonal infections, such as the flu.
According to the Erin Burns, a spokeswoman for the CDC Influenza Division, the 2013 to 2014 flu season resulted in the deaths of 107 children, while there have been no fatalities from EV-D68 thus far.
Thankfully, Taylor said, basic hygiene practices can go a long way toward preventing seasonal infections of all types.
"[In] influenza or other viral infections, coughs and sneezes spread tiny droplets from one person to another," he said. "We can help stop the spread by asking children and adults to stay home when you are sick, cover your cough, use tissues, disinfect toys and keyboards or other surfaces that are shared, and wash hands often."
This time of year is typically the peak of the enterovirus season, Taylor said, and while reports of infections will continue to climb for a time, it is mainly because of the lag time needed to test and confirm the infections. Flu season, however, will soon begin, and given the known dangers of that illness, he said, it might make sense to channel any anxiety over contagious disease toward being prepared for influenza.
"People need to not lose sight of the big picture," Taylor said. "Influenza is a major threat and so we really do recommend people get their flu shot from their regular provider in the next month or so."
Reach staff writer Jon Kelvey at 410-857-3317 or jon.kelvey@carrollcountytimes.com.
In short
• A strain of enterovirus causing mild to severe respiratory infections has been identified as close as Pennsylvania but has not yet spread to Maryland.
• The virus affects mostly children and the elderly. Those with histories of asthma or other breathing issues are most at risk.
• The best way to protect yourself and others is to follow good cold- and flu-season hygiene: frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and sanitizing shared surfaces such as keyboards.
• While enterovirus can be serious, influenza is worse and sometimes deadly. Getting a flu shot when available is recommended
