States with Lab-confirmed Enterovirus D68

From mid-August to September 30, 2014, CDC or state public health laboratories have confirmed a total of 472 people from 41 states and the District of Columbia with respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. The 41 states are Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This indicates that at least one case has been detected in each state listed but does not indicate how widespread infections are in each state.

CDC is prioritizing testing of specimens from children with severe respiratory illness. Of the specimens tested by CDC lab, about half have tested positive for EV-D68. About one third have tested positive for an enterovirus or rhinovirus other than EV-D68.

In the upcoming weeks, more states will have confirmed cases of EV-D68 infection.

• The primary reason for increases in cases is that several states are investigating clusters of people with severe respiratory illness, and specimens are still being tested for EV-D68. It can take a while to test specimens and obtain lab results. That’s because the testing is complex and slower, and can only be done by CDC and a small number of state public health laboratories. As the backlog of specimens is processed, the number of states and confirmed cases will likely increase. These increases will not necessarily reflect changes in real time, or mean that the situation is getting worse.
• Some of the increase will be from new EV-D68 infections since people are more likely to get infected with enteroviruses in the summer and fall. We are currently in the middle of the enterovirus season.

Mad Dash

Title Sponsor: Sugarbush Resort

Sunday, October 12, 2014, 10:00am
Meadow Road, Waitsfield, Vermont

A classic Vermont foot race benefiting the Mad River Path.
http://www.madriverpath.com/mad-dash.php

UPDATE: Enterovirus (EV-D68)

States with Lab-confirmed Enterovirus D68

http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/EV-D68.html

From mid-August to September 22, 2014, a total of 175 people from 27 states were confirmed to have respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. The 27 states are Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. The cases of EV-D68 infection were confirmed by the CDC or state public health laboratories that notified CDC.

In the upcoming weeks, more states will have confirmed cases of EV-D68 infection.

·       The primary reason for increases in cases is that several states are investigating clusters of people with severe respiratory illness, and specimens are still being tested for EV-D68. It can take a while to test specimens and obtain lab results. That’s because the testing is complex and slower, and can only be done by CDC and a small number of state public health laboratories. As the backlog of specimens is processed, the number of states and confirmed cases will likely increase. These increases will not necessarily reflect changes in real time, or mean that the situation is getting worse.

·       Some of the increase will be from new EV-D68 infections since people are more likely to get infected with enteroviruses in the summer and fall. We are currently in the middle of the enterovirus season.

As investigations progress, we will have a better understanding of the trends for EV-D68 infections.

Flu Season - Some Basic Facts about "Flu Shots"

Full article: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm#side-effects

Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?

No, a flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness. Flu vaccines that are administered with a needle are currently made in two ways: the vaccine is made either with a) flu vaccine viruses that have been ‘inactivated’ and are therefore not infectious, or b) with no flu vaccine viruses at all (which is the case for recombinant influenza vaccine). The nasal spray flu vaccine does contain live viruses. However, the viruses are attenuated (weakened), and therefore cannot cause flu illness. The weakened viruses are cold-adapted, which means they are designed to only cause infection at the cooler temperatures found within the nose. The viruses cannot infect the lungs or other areas where warmer temperatures exist.

While a flu vaccine cannot give you flu illness, there are different side effects that may be associated with getting a flu shot or a nasal spray flu vaccine. These side effects are mild and short-lasting, especially when compared to symptoms of bad case of flu.

The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that may occur are:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• Fever (low grade)
• Aches

Why do I need a flu vaccine every year?

A flu vaccine is needed every season for two reasons. First, the body’s immune response from vaccination declines over time, so an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection. Second, because flu viruses are constantly changing, the formulation of the flu vaccine is reviewed each year and sometimes updated to keep up with changing flu viruses. For the best protection, everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated annually.

Does flu vaccine work right away?

No. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection. That’s why it’s better to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets under way.

The Vermont Department of Health distributed a ~Health Advisory~ about Respiratory Illness Due to Enterovirus (EV-D68) to all school nurses today (9/10/2014).

Excerpt from the letter:

Transmission and Prevention: There are no vaccines for preventing EV-D68 infections. It appears to spread through close contact with infected people. Transmission of respiratory illnesses can be decreased by following these steps:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Encourage children and staff to cover their coughs and sneezes.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.

Please use the below link to view the entire health advisory from Patsy Kelso, State Epidemiologist for Infectious Diseases.

http://healthvermont.gov/advisory/2014/documents/20140910_EV-D68_schools.pdf

I will try to help in any way possible to find answers to questions as they arise.

Clayton