Severe respiratory illness case under investigation in Spokane County

SPOKANE — With several severe respiratory illnesses in Washington state under investigation for enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) officials confirmed in a Sept. 12 news release that they are working with local providers to investigate a severe respiratory illness in one area child. At this time, there are still no confirmed cases of EV-D68 in Spokane County or Washington state.

Cases of severe EV-D68 illness have been reported from Colorado, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. SRHD officials encourage local health care providers to consider EV-D68 as a possible cause of acute, severe, unexplained respiratory illness.

Most individuals who catch an enterovirus may experience symptoms similar to the common cold including sneezing, a runny nose and a cough. Some may have difficulty breathing and/or develop a rash. EV-D68 is sometimes accompanied by a fever or wheezing. If EV-D68 does appear locally, large numbers of children could develop respiratory infections in a short time period, as the virus spreads easily, similar to the common cold.

For mild respiratory illness, parents can help relieve symptoms by giving over-the-counter medications for pain and fever. Children with asthma or a history of breathing problems are particularly susceptible to severe symptoms. Parents should take their child to the doctor if the child has unexpected difficulty breathing.

“It’s important for families to make sure their child’s asthma symptoms are under control, and to see a health care provider if he or she develops a respiratory illness that unexpectedly worsens asthma symptoms, inexplicably” Spokane Regional Health District health officer Dr. Joel McCullough said.

People who do not have severe illness do not need to seek medical evaluation. There is no vaccine for enterovirus infections. To decrease the risk for enterovirus infections:

 Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds (alcohol hand gel is not as good as hand washing for enteroviruses),

 Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands,

 Avoid contact with ill people,

 Do not go to day care, school or work while ill,

 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.

Children and adults with asthma should be sure to have their asthma symptoms under control and see a health care provider if they develop a respiratory infection and their asthma worsens. More information is also available at http://www.srhd.org.