CDC notes more EV-D68, sees link to earlier polio-like illness

Wednesday, October 1, 2014
By Paul Martin

Robert Roos
CIDRAP News
Sep 30, 2014

Another 29 cases were reported today in the nationwide outbreak of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) respiratory infections in children, and one of the outbreak strains is closely related to a strain that was associated with polio-like illness in a few California children in 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The outbreak count grew today to 472 confirmed cases in 41 states and Washington, D.C., from 443 cases in 40 states and Washington yesterday, the agency reported. The new state on the list is New Hampshire. All but one of the cases have been in children.

It’s not clear whether the outbreak has peaked yet, Mark Pallansch, PhD, director of the CDC’s Division of Viral Diseases, told CIDRAP News today. He said cases are increasing in some areas and declining in others.

“We don’t have a clear picture as to whether there’s a trend at this point, he said. “It’s still enterovirus season, so it’s not surprising.”

The virus, which was fairly rare in the United States until recently, causes cold-like symptoms but can lead to serious breathing trouble, especially in children who have asthma, the CDC says.

Link to 2012 California case

The Rest…HERE

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