Grant County child hospitalized with enterovirus

GRANT COUNTY - A child from Grant County was hospitalized with a severe respiratory illness and tested positive for enterovirus/rhinovirus.

It is not known if the child is infected with the EV-D68 strain of the enterovirus, which has infected a total of 84 people in six states since Aug. 21, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Testing is being done at the CDC to determine if the child is infected with EV-D68. Results are not yet available.

The GCHD states, the enterovirus is a common illness and has more than 100 different strands. EV-D68 has not previously been a problem in the U.S., with very few cases until recently.

According to the CDC's website, EV-D68 is a respiratory illness, so it can be found in a carrier's saliva, nasal mucus and sputum.

EV-D68 spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms of EV-D68 include runny nose, cough and difficulty breathing.

Children will a pre-existing asthma condition may have more severe symptoms, according to the GCHD.

To decrease the risk for enterovirus infections, the GCHD recommends:

• Wash hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds (alcohol hand gel is not as good as hand washing for enteroviruses).
• Avoid touching eyes, noses and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid contact with ill people.
• Do not go to child care, school or work while sick.
• Avoid kissing, hugging and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
• Frequently disinfect touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
• Children and adults with asthma should be sure to have their asthma symptoms under control and see a doctor if they develop a respiratory infection and their asthma worsens.

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for enteroviruses.

Parents are urged to contact their child's doctor at any time a child experiences difficulty breathing.