Orange County confirms three cases of Enterovirus D68

For Immediate Release: October 10, 2014

Contact: Nicole Stanfield nstanfield@ochca.com, 714-834-2178

Orange County Confirms Three Cases of Enterovirus D68

(Santa Ana) – The Orange County Health Care Agency has received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) that three patients in Orange County have tested positive for enterovirus D68. The three patients, all of them children, are unrelated and are not linked with any community outbreak of the illness.

There has been an increase in enterovirus D68 reported across the country over the last few months, resulting in enhanced surveillance locally. “Due to the heightened awareness and surveillance for enterovirus D68, it is not surprising to identify cases in Orange County’” said Dr. Eric Handler, Public Health Officer. Individual cases of enterovirus D68 have also been reported in communities throughout the state, including several counties in Southern California, but outbreaks of respiratory illness have not been reported in California.

Enterovirus D68 virus spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces. Symptoms may include runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body and muscle aches. Children with enterovirus D68 infection generally do not have fever; when present, the fever is usually low-grade. Some children have more serious illness, manifesting as breathing difficulty and wheezing. Children with asthma are more likely to have severe respiratory illness.

Parents should seek medical attention immediately for children who are having any breathing difficulty such as wheezing. There is no specific treatment for persons with enterovirus D68, nor is there a vaccine to prevent it. The best way to prevent transmission of enterovirus D68 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 enterovirus D68 can be found on the OC Health Care Agency website or CDC website.

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Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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