Concerns Grow as Enterovirus Nears South Jersey: What Parents Should Know

A new virus that swept through the nation’s Midwest this summer is now being blamed for one child's death in New Jersey and has infected several others in the state. 

Parents are being advised to take precautions to try to prevent your kids from getting enterovirus D68.

This disease could plague South Jersey this fall and winter. It’s also happening just in time for flu season.

Here are some answers to questions parents will have about the virus from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention…

Q: What is enterovirus D68?

A: Enterovirus D68, though normally occurring less commonly than other enterovirus infections, can cause mild to very sever respiratory illness, with infection mainly occurring in infants, children and teenagers between the summer and fall seasons.

Because of this, major concern has been drawn by parents; especially because of the rarity of the illness.

Q: What are the symptoms of EV-D68 infection?

A: EV-D68 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness. Mild symptoms may include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body and muscle aches.

Most of the children who got very ill with EV-D68 infection in Missouri and Illinois had difficulty breathing, and some had wheezing. Many of these children had asthma or a history of wheezing.

Q: How does the virus spread?

A: Since EV-D68 causes respiratory illness, the virus can be found in an infected person’s respiratory secretions, such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum. EV-D68 likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces.

How can you prevent your kids from getting enterovirus D68?

-Wash your hands ofter with soap and water.

- Avoid touching eyes and mouth

- Avoid close contact with people who are sick( kissing, shaking hands, sharing utensils)

- Stay home when sick

- Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow

From mid-August to September 17, 2014, a total of 140 people in 16 states have been confirmed to have respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. Learn more about states with confirmed cases.

Q: How many people have been confirmed to have EV-68 infection?

A: From mid-August through Monday, 594 people in 43 states have been confirmed to have EV-D68, according to the CDC. The number of actual cases, including people not sick enough to get checked, is probably many times higher.

The virus appears as a common cold in most children, which is why it can't be accurately counted. It can cause severe respiratory problems, particularly for those with asthma, and in very rare instances appears to be linked to paralysis or even death.

In Yardville, Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey, the death of a 4-year-old boy two weeks ago was directly tied to enterovirus. There have now been 14 confirmed cases of enterovirus in New Jersey.