O.C. Sees Its First 3 Cases of Potentially Dangerous Respiratory Ailment

Orange County health officials today confirmed the county’s first three cases of enterovirus D68, the potentially dangerous respiratory ailment that has been spreading across the country, while Los Angeles County’s number of cases rose to four.

The virus may require hospitalization in children with breathing disorders, such as asthma, health officials have said.

The three Orange County patients are all children and they are unrelated. The Orange County Health Agency did not immediately provide details on when the cases were diagnosed or the status of the patients.

“Due to the heightened awareness and surveillance for enterovirus D68, it is not surprising to identify cases in Orange County,” according to Dr. Eric Handler, the county’s public health officer.

A total of 32 cases of enterovirus D68 have been confirmed across the state, with the most in San Diego County, where there have been eight cases, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Los Angeles County has had four cases, and a fifth case confirmed by health officials in Long Beach.

A patient who was treated at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles experienced partial paralysis but was said to be recovering.

State health officials said the virus likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches contaminated surfaces. Symptoms can include fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing and body and muscle aches. Some children can develop breathing difficulty and wheezing.

Orange County health officials advised parents and children to work together to help prevent the spread of the disease by:

• Washing hands often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid kissing, hugging or sharing cups and eating utensils with sick people
• Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs.

--City News Service

PHOTO Image via Shutterstock

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