2 New Cases of Enterovirus D68 Confirmed in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (Press Release) — Today, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) confirmed two new Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) cases in Mississippi residents. The two cases were reported in young children — one from Forrest County and the other from Calhoun County. A case was reported in a Hancock County child last week.

“There have been some reports in Colorado of this virus potentially causing some cases of muscle weakness or paralysis. In Mississippi, we have not seen this with any of our three confirmed cases, but we are working with healthcare providers to identify any possible complications from this virus and to provide further guidance on testing, prevention and infection control,” said MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Dobbs.

Enteroviruses are very common, causing up to 10-15 million infections in the United States each year. EV-D68 is one type of enterovirus that has recently been identified as sometimes causing severe respiratory illnesses and hospitalization in children.

Symptoms of EV-D68 are very similar to the common cold, and include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body and muscle aches. While most cases of illness are mild, children (newborns through teenagers) are most likely to become seriously ill, and those with asthma or underlying health conditions have a greater chance of complications from the virus.

“While there is no vaccine, there are some basic preventive measures you can take to prevent infection from EV-D68, as well as other viral illnesses such as flu,” said Dr. Dobbs.

Basic preventive measures include the following:
— Stay home (or keep children home) when ill and consult your healthcare provider.
— Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.
— Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
— Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or utensils with ill people.
— Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.

For more information, visit the MSDH website at http://www.HealthyMS.com/EV.

Follow MSDH by e-mail and social media at http://HealthyMS.com/connect.