The number of patients confirmed to have enterovirus D68 in California is 14 and more are expected to test positive in the coming weeks, announced California Department of Public Health officials Friday, Oct. 3.
State health authorities announced that there “are other specimens from throughout the state being tested at CDPH laboratories.”
CDPH officials expect more patients to test positive in the coming weeks but did not specify a timeline or the number of specimens being tested.
The patients, whose ages range from 1 to 15, where mostly from the Southland.
Los Angeles, Riverside, Alameda, and Ventura counties each reported one patient positive for the virus while San Diego had five cases of D68.
The most recent case was reported today out of the City of Long Beach, according to Dr. Ron Chapman, CDPH director and state health officer.
Health officials say 13 of those who tested positive had respiratory illness and one had acute flaccid paralysis, which affects the smallest percentage of those infected.
CDPH authorities announced that there “are other specimens from throughout the state being tested at CDPH laboratories.”
They expect more patients to test positive in the coming weeks, according to the California Department of Public Health.
“We are not surprised to find EV-D68 causing some illnesses in California given the apparent widespread nature of this virus in other parts of the country,” Dr. Chapman said.
CDPH officials also identified 35 patients as of Oct. 1 with acute flaccid paralysis and spinal cord involvement since 2012.
Of these individuals, three have had infection with EV-D68, two in 2012 and one in 2014.
“Because EV-D68 was found in respiratory specimens from these patients, it is not known whether EV-D68 was a cause of paralysis or a coincidental finding,” said CDPH officials in a news release.
Health officials believe the virus likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces.
While there is no treatment or vaccine to treat D68, health officials say everyone six months of age or older should receive flu shots to protect against other causes of respiratory disease.
State officials are also advising local health workers to consider D68 when encountering causes of unexplained respiratory illness and to report cases of flaccid paralysis.
Symptoms:
Fever (although fever may not be present), runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body and muscle aches. Some children have more serious illness with breathing difficulty and wheezing, particularly children with a history of asthma. EV-D68 can rarely cause neurologic illness.
Who should seek medical attention immediately:
Children who are having any breathing difficulty (wheezing, difficulty speaking or eating, belly pulling in with breaths, blueness around the lips), particularly if the child suffers from asthma.
The best way to prevent transmission of enteroviruses is to:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers.
- 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.
- Additional information about EV-D68 can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Enterovirus D68 page.
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