First Confirmed Case of Enterovirus D68 in New Jersey
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The US Centers for Disease Control says one of the enterovirus D68 patients identified at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was from New Jersey.
The CDC says that brings the number of states with cases of the virus up to 13.
New Jersey health officials are sending about a dozen additional samples to the CDC for testing and are in touch with health care providers, schools, and day care centers to see if there have been any increases in respiratory illness in the state.
The virus is blamed for an outbreak of illness in several midwestern states.
CHOP reported yesterday that it had treated four patients who tested positive for the virus but said the number was not unusually high for a seasonal virus. All the patients have recovered.
The virus produces cold-like symptoms, which can be especially harmful to children with asthma. There is no specific treatment or vaccine. The CDC recommends normal preventive measures, such as thorough hand-washing.
