Health Dept. Confirms Cases of Enterovirus in NY, Commissioner Urges Precautions
Sept. 22--The Erie County health commissioner is urging people to wash their hands and take other precautions to limit the spread of enterovirus D68 after state Department of Health tests confirmed cases of the serious respiratory illness in Western New York.
Dr. Gale Burstein said today that 14 samples from Women & Children's Hospital in Buffalo that date back to the middle of August tested positive for the virus, but noted that the number does not reflect how widespread the illness is since most patients with cold symptoms are not tested.
"The message really hasn't changed because we've all suspected all along that we have had enterovirus D68 in our community," Burstein said during a news conference this morning.
Burstein said there have been no deaths from the virus in New York State, and doctors expect that the seasonal virus could run its course in the community within a few weeks.
Most patients who catch enterovirus D68 experience little more than cold symptoms, but it has more seriously affected some children with asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Women & Children's Hospital has seen a higher-than-normal number children admitted with respiratory illness in recent weeks, said Dr. Stephen Turkovich, chief medical officer.
Burstein said the advice for most people is similar to other illnesses: wash hands often and stay away from people who are sick. Parents of children who have chronic lung diseases such as asthma should keep a close check on any cold-like symptoms, Burstein said.
"It's really important that you wash your hands as much as possible," Burstein said. "Ideally, if you have access to soap and water, keep your hands under the sink for at least 20 seconds and then manually dry your hands with a towel."
Most infected people have only mild symptoms, according to the state Department of Health, but some infections can be serious and have required hospitalization, especially among children with asthma.
Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sneezing and coughing.
The state Department of Health advises people to take the following precautions:
-- Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
-- 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.
-- Use the same precautions you would use to prevent the spread of influenza.
-- Although no cases of D68 were previously confirmed in the region, area doctors suspected the rare strain of enterovirus was causing higher-than-normal respiratory illness in children in recent weeks.
Women & Children's Hospital earlier this month opened an eight-bed overflow unit to help address high numbers of children coming into its emergency department with respiratory illness.
email: djgee@buffnews.com
Copyright 2014 - The Buffalo News, N.Y.
