York health official not concerned about enterovirus

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 25, 2014
By Laura Finney

A respiratory virus that has hospitalized children in the United States has come to Canada.

So far, there have been a number of confirmed cases of Enterovirus 68 (EV-D68) in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.

But Joy Marshall, communicable diseases manager at the Region of York, said the unit is not concerned at this time.

While she said she had not heard of any cases in the area, she said EV-D68 is not a reportable disease, meaning health units are not informed of any cases of the virus.

But she said if health officials start seeing clusters similar to ones seen in the United States and other parts of Canada, usually the hospital or lab would notify the health unit.

So far there have not been any reports.

“We’re not seeing any clusters of unusual respiratory illness in York Region,” she said.

Brigette Boaretto, manager of infection prevention and control at Southlake Regional Health Centre, said the hospital has not had any confirmed cases of the virus.

It is not unusual to see an increase in the number of acute respiratory illness during the fall, particularly when children go back to school, she explained. “At this point in time, we have not seen an unusual surge of respiratory cases come through.”

Last week, the Public Health Agency of Canada released a statement reminding health professionals to increase awareness and stay vigilant for possible cases of the virus.

“We have infection prevention and control screening tools in place to manage acute respiratory illness and the protocols required for D68 are the same,” said Boaretto. Patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of acute respiratory illness are placed on the appropriate precautions.

Dr. Bryna Warshawsky, public health physician with Public Health Ontario, said there are many different enteroviruses.

She said EV-D68 can have severe respiratory symptoms that can sometimes result in doctor or hospital visits.
Children with asthma seem to be more at risk.

Marshall said some common signs of the virus include runny nose, fever, sneezing, coughing and body aches.

“It really looks like the common cold,” Marshall said. “The obvious question is how would you tell the difference.”

She said if a child’s symptoms appear to be getting worse, if a child is having difficulty breathing or if a child has a history of wheezing or asthma, talk to a health care professional.

“The message we would want out is contact your health care provider and make sure your child is seen really soon so this can be ruled out,” she said.

The virus can be found in nose and throat secretions and can be spread with coughing, sneezing or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Warshawsky said adults can get the virus, but children and teenagers have been more at risk.

She said it is likely because they have not been exposed to the virus before.

There are preventative measures that can be taken to prevent getting this, and other viruses.

The most important thing is washing hands for 20 seconds, Marshall said, adding it is important to teach children how to sneeze in their elbows, not to touch their eyes, nose and throat with unwashed hands, not to share cups or utensils, not to kiss and hug when sick, put tissues in the trash and help try to prevent the spread of the virus.

“If child is sick, and this is really important, your child should be home,” she said.

Warshawsky agreed and also recommended children with asthma have their puffers ready and up to date.