10 Va. Children Hospitalized with Potential Enterovirus

Virginia state health officials are awaiting confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine whether 10 hospitalized children have enterovirus EV-D68.

Within the past 72 hours, St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond has reported at least 10 children with symptoms similar to those of EV-D68, the virus that has affected more than a thousand children across the country this year. Four of these children were admitted to the intensive care unit, NBC12 reports. VCU Medical Center and Lynchburg General Hospital have both reportedly received patients showing symptoms of the enterovirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 12 states have now observed possible outbreaks, which reportedly began in Illinois and Missouri before spreading throughout the Midwest.

Enteroviruses are not uncommon. Strains of enterovirus circulate every year, primarily affecting children from 6 weeks to 16 years old, especially those with asthma and other respiratory conditions. Enterovirus EV-D68 is somewhat less common but has caused concern due to the sheer number of hospitalizations this year.

The virus is not airborne but is commonly spread through oral or respiratory secretions.

The enterovirus causes symptoms that resemble a bad cold, and parents should treat it as such, the New York Times reports. Though symptoms can develop rapidly, the virus is self-limiting and should run its course within three to five days. There is no vaccine for EV-D68, though the virus is not deadly and can be prevented with simple hand sanitizers and ordinary soap and water.

Image: Patch File Photo