Enterovirus 68 - US outbreak 2014

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In summary, a 13-year-old boy was hospitalized for nine days after contracting an enterovirus. He later had problems moving his limbs. The enterovirus is responsible for the death of a 10-year-old girl.
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Astronuc
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Paralysis Link Suspected as Enterovirus Spreads
https://gma.yahoo.com/paralysis-suspected-enterovirus-spreads-114933877--abc-news-health.html [Broken]
Simon Humphrey spent nine days in a Colorado hospital room fighting for his life.

Humphrey, 13, is one of hundreds of children across the country stricken by http://abcnews.go.com/topics/lifestyle/health/enterovirus.htm [Broken] 68.

He later had problems moving his limbs.
. . . .

CDC Investigates Limb Paralysis in Children After Enterovirus 68 Outbreak
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/cdc-in...ren-enterovirus-68-outbreak/story?id=25804998

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is one of more than 100 non-polio enteroviruses. This virus was first identified in California in 1962.
http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/ev-d68.html

States with Lab-confirmed Enterovirus D68
http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/outbreaks/EV-D68-states.html [Broken]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterovirus
The poliovirus is an enterovirus, but there are 64 non-polio enteroviruses that can cause disease in humans.
 
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  • #2
Official: Enterovirus 68 virus caused boy's death
http://news.yahoo.com/official-enterovirus-68-virus-caused-boys-death-193806783.html [Broken]

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A virus that has been causing severe respiratory illness across the country is responsible for the death of a 4-year-old boy, a state medical examiner determined.
. . . .
The virus has sickened more than 500 people in 43 states and Washington, D.C. — almost all of them children.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said earlier this week that four people infected with the virus had died, but it's unclear what role the virus played in the deaths.
. . .
Children who have not been exposed to forms of enteroviruses may lack immunity to E68, and thus are more susceptible to it.

Girl, 10, dies from complications of enterovirus
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/enterovirus-68-us-outbreak-2014.773581/
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — State health officials say a 10-year-old Rhode Island girl has died from complications of an unusual respiratory virus that has been affecting children across the U.S.

The Rhode Island Health Department announced Wednesday that the child died last week of a staph infection associated with enterovirus 68, which it called "a very rare combination."
. . .
I'm not sure if his girl counts as one of the four, since she died of staph infection associated with the E68 infection.
 
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  • #3
My wife read that the 4yo boy showed no symptoms. Just went to sleep and didn't wake up in the morning. That's a little bit disturbing.
 

1. What is Enterovirus 68?

Enterovirus 68 (EV68) is a type of virus that belongs to the Enterovirus genus, which includes more than 100 different types of viruses. EV68 is a respiratory virus that can cause mild to severe respiratory illness, particularly in children and those with weakened immune systems.

2. What are the symptoms of EV68 infection?

The most common symptoms of EV68 infection include fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, body and muscle aches. Some people may also experience difficulty breathing, wheezing, and in severe cases, paralysis. Not everyone infected with EV68 will show symptoms, and some may only experience mild symptoms.

3. How is EV68 transmitted?

EV68 is primarily transmitted through respiratory secretions, such as saliva, mucus, or sputum, when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also be spread through close contact with an infected person, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus, and possibly through fecal-oral transmission.

4. What is the current status of the US outbreak of EV68 in 2014?

The US outbreak of EV68 in 2014 was the largest outbreak of the virus in the country, with over 1,100 confirmed cases in 49 states. The outbreak lasted from mid-August to December, with most cases occurring in children. There have been smaller outbreaks of EV68 in the US since then, but none as extensive as the 2014 outbreak.

5. Is there a treatment or vaccine for EV68?

Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for EV68. Most people infected with the virus will recover on their own without needing medical treatment. Over-the-counter medications can be used to manage symptoms, and in severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary. Researchers are working on developing a vaccine for EV68, but it is not yet available.

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