The kids were treated at University of Chicago Hospital and all four have since been discharged from the hospital. Meanwhile, the Indiana State Department of Health is working with local health departments to try and track down additional cases of the virus.
Indiana joins several other states in this multi-state outbreak, including Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky and others.The Indiana State Department of Health released the following information on the virus:
Typically, the virus causes upper respiratory illness, such as low-grade fever, cough, runny nose, sneezing and body/muscle aches. Infected individuals generally recover on their own without incident by treating symptoms. However, some individuals, especially those with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, may experience severe complications and require hospitalization with supportive therapy.
Enteroviruses, including EV-D68, are spread through close contact with infected people. Health officials recommend the following tips to prevent the spread of infection:
· Clean: Wash your hands frequently with warm soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not effective in preventing the spread of EV-D68.
· Cover: Cover your cough with your sleeve or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
· Contain: Prevent spreading illness to others by staying home if you are sick.
· Avoid close contact and sharing cups or eating utensils with those who are ill.
· Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Individuals experiencing cold-like symptoms and trouble breathing should contact their healthcare provider right away.
