— Editor’s note: Washington state joined a growing list of states, 22 as of Sept. 20, according to the CDC, following confirmation of two cases involving children, in King and Snohomish counties.

— Submitted by SJC Health Officer Dr. Frank James

It is likely that D68 enterovirus has reached the  San Juan Islands.

A case has been reported that is positive for enterovirus, further testing is only done by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention if cases causes severe illness and an individual requires intensive care management.

In other states, some children with the infection have also had limb paralysis (polio virus is also a member of the entrovirus group) in other states as well.

Although all ages get infections, adults have often had this or related infections, and have some immunity to the severe effects of the disease.

“Parents and teachers should watch children for difficulty breathing or wheezing, particularly in children with a history of asthma”, San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James said, adding, “These children may become very ill and require emergency room evaluation or even hospitalization for breathing problems. If your child becomes progressively sicker immediate evaluation is needed and urgent evaluation by health care providers and when if your child has severe respiratory distress you should call 911.”

Enteroviruses are common human viruses that can cause respiratory illness, as well as febrile rash illness and neurologic illness.

The current outbreaks of Enterovirus D68 are resulting in significant numbers of children with respiratory infections requiring emergency department visits and hospitalizations, primarily for difficulties with breathing and severe asthma. Children with asthma appear to be more susceptible to serious illness from the virus.

Because this particular strain of enterovirus has been uncommon in the past, the ways it spreads are not as well understood as other enteroviruses. It likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughes, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces.

EV-D68 has been reported to cause mild to severe respiratory illness, i.e. runny nose, cough, difficulty breathing, with and without fever. Most persons have these typical cold-like symptoms; however, a minority may have more serious infections, particularly children and adults with pre-existing asthma.

People should use the same judgment as usual about when to see (or take a child to see) a health care provider: Anyone who has difficulty breathing or who appears seriously ill should be evaluated promptly by a health care provider. A person with asthma should be sure their asthma symptoms are under control, and see a health care provider if they develop respiratory symptoms and their asthma worsens.

Adults and children with non-severe enterovirus infections do not need to see a health care provider and do not need to be tested. Should you develop the enteroviral symptoms, you should stay at home for 10 days or until respiratory symptoms are absent or you are cleared by your physician.

There is no specific treatment for these viral infections.

Some people with severe illness may need to be hospitalized and receive intensive supportive therapy. There is no vaccine to prevent enterovirus infections.

To decrease the risk for illness:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds (alcohol-based gel is not as good as hand washing for these viruses).

• Avoid touching eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands.

• Avoid contact with ill people; stay home if you are ill.

• Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.

• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys, doorknobs, countertops and faucets with a 1:10 bleach solution.

For more information, contact SJC Health & Community Services.