EV-D68 Virus in Wisconsin

A serious respiratory virus that has affected mostly children in 40 states has now been confirmed to be in Wisconsin.

A child in Door County was admitted to Ministry Door County Medical Center and tested positive for the Enterovirus D68. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the test. People who have asthma are higher risk for the disease, as well as children suffering from reactive airway disease.

Prevention includes: wash hands often, especially after changing diapers; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid kissing, hugging, sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are ill; disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is ill. Hand sanitizer is not recommended, but soap and water is, according to the CDC.

Infants, children, and teenagers are most likely to get infected; mainly because they have no immunity from previous exposures. People are most affected in the summer and fall.

Symptoms are: fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, body/muscle aches; severe symptoms may include wheezing and difficulty breathing. The virus was first identified in California in 1962. It has infected people in Canada, Japan, and the Netherlands.

There are no vaccines available to prevent EV-D68 infection.