Severe Respiratory Illnesses Associated with Rhinoviruses and/or Enteroviruses - CDC Alert
On September 9, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent out a notification that healthcare centers are reporting an increase in pediatric hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses. Typing on some specimens detected enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) which can be associated with severe respiratory illness or acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). The vast majority of cases present as a “common cold” where children experience mild respiratory symptoms only.
In the coming weeks, healthcare providers can:
Consider laboratory testing for rhinovirus/enterovirus (usually part of the multiplex PCR tests) if the cause of a respiratory infection is unclear.
Provide supportive care for rhinovirus/enterovirus infections. There are no available vaccines or antiviral treatments for EV-D68.
Place patients with respiratory symptoms who test positive for rhinovirus/enterovirus in a single-person room and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) per your practice protocols. PPE for patients with EV-D68 includes gowns, gloves, mask and eye protection.
Depending on your current guidance for visitors, may consider re-implementing universal masking in staff and visitors during periods of high respiratory illness activity.
Encourage families to stop the spread of EV-D68 and other respiratory viruses with good hand hygiene, avoiding close contact with sick people, appropriate cough etiquette, and staying home when sick.
Patients with difficulty breathing (with or without a fever) or sudden onset of limb weakness may need emergency department evaluation.
You can find more details about the CDC HAN alert HERE.