A handful of B.C. children have been diagnosed with Enterovirus D-68.
The virus causes a mild to severe respiratory illness and these are the first laboratory-confirmed cases in the province since 2014.
Dr. Krajden, the Medical Director of the Public Health Laboratory, confirmed that since Wednesday, eight children have been diagnosed.
Most people with the virus will experience only mild, cold-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. Severe cases can include neurological complications like weak muscles or paralysis.
“The numbers are low so far but we can expect more infections to occur through the fall and early winter period,” said Dr. Danuta Skowronski, epidemiologist with the BC Centre for Disease Control.
“That is when EV-D68 and other more common cold viruses tend to circulate.”
At least half of the cases to date have required hospitalization and one included neurological illness characterized by arm paralysis. This paralysis was a feature noted during the last EV-D68 cases in 2014.
Those with asthma are more susceptible to serious complications and prompt medical care is recommended for those with difficulty breathing.
There is no vaccine or specific treatment for cold viruses or EV-D68. Instead, doctors are recommending people wash their hands frequently, stay at home if sick, avoid sharing cups and utensils and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
