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More Cases of Enterovirus D68 in California

Cases of Enterovirus D68 are up in California, increasing to 32 cases Friday from 14 cases Oct. 1, the California Health Department said.
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The California Department of Public Health identified Enterovirus D68 infection in 32 patients state-wide Friday, up from 14 cases last Wednesday.

Testing for the virus, which takes roughly one to two weeks, confirms that the virus continues to circulate widely. EV-D68, as the virus is also known, causes respiratory illness and it spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of EV-D68 include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body and muscle aches.

The best way to prevent transmission of enterovirus is to wash hands often with soap and water, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick. Parents should seek medical attention immediately for children who are having any breathing difficulty. There is no specific treatment for persons with EV-D68, nor is there a vaccine to prevent it. Five children have died while infected with the virus so far, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

IN-DEPTH

— Mel Bailey