US Centers for Disease Control report massive outbreaks in EV-D68 among children

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US Centers for Disease Control report massive outbreaks in EV-D68 among children

CLUSTERS of severe respiratory illness across a dozen US states have raised concern about the spread of an unusual virus that is striking children but not adults.

The culprit in most cases identified so far is enterovirus 68, or EV-D68, said assistant surgeon general Anne Schuchat.
She said “about 12 states” have reported apparent clusters to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The situation is evolving quickly,” she said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there are many more.” No deaths have been reported this year, but infants, children and teenagers are most vulnerable, and some states have seen a spike in hospitalisations, she said.

According to US media reports, the affected states include Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Oklahoma.

“This isn’t a new virus,” Schuchat told reporters, noting that it was first discovered in 1962.

Full story: http://www.news.com.au/world/north-america/us-centers-for-disease-control-report-massive-outbreaks-in-evd68-among-children/story-fnh81jut-1227052591239


-- News.com.au 2014-09-09