Enterovirus reaches Idaho

Idaho is now among the growing number of states where enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has been confirmed and health officials say the respiratory illness is likely circulating in North Idaho.

On Thursday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare issued a press release stating that results for five submitted samples from hospitalized children in eastern Idaho show one child tested positive for EV-D68, two tested positive for a different virus and the remaining two were negative. All five children have been discharged from hospital care.

While no cases for EV-D68 have been confirmed in North Idaho, IDHW spokesman Tom Shanahan said it's likely only a matter of time before it will be.

"We have not found any elevated levels of infections outside of the Treasure Valley and eastern Idaho," Shanahan said. "I think you should assume it is circulating in (North Idaho), however, for it seems to have spread across the country fairly quickly and has been confirmed in Washington and Montana."

Idaho is now among 38 states which have confirmed cases of EV-D68, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Enterovirus infections are very common this time of year and can sometimes cause serious illness," said Christine Hahn, state epidemiologist and Idaho Public Health medical director. "There are no vaccines for these common viruses, so parents need to be vigilant and make sure their families follow these simple but effective health interventions - wash your hands frequently, cover your cough and stay home when you are sick. This is especially important for children with asthma."

EV-D68 is a respiratory infection which has caused multiple illnesses and hospitalizations nationally, primarily in children with asthma or reactive airway disease.

The Idaho Division of Public Health is working with hospitals, healthcare providers and local public health districts to identify elevated levels of respiratory illnesses in Idaho communities. To date, there has been a slight increase in the number of respiratory illnesses in the Idaho Falls and Treasure Valley areas, but no other communities have reported higher-than-normal levels.

Idaho public health officials have submitted more than two dozen samples from hospitalized children to the CDC for testing. Results from CDC testing will be released by the Department of Health and Welfare as they become available.

Enterovirus infections strike 10-15 million people a year in the United States. There are more than 100 enterovirus strains, but EV-D68 was rarely identified until recently.

According to the CDC, EV-D68 was first identified in California in 1962, but has not been commonly reported in the U.S.

Enteroviruses are transmitted through close contact with an infected person or by touching surfaces contaminated by the virus and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Symptoms of enterovirus illnesses include coughing, sneezing, a low-grade fever, runny nose and body aches. Most people recover without hospitalization.