The following information is being shared as a public service announcement on behalf of our school nurses. In the past week, Delaware has seen an increase in hospitalizations for respiratory illness among children. These hospitalizations were due to illness caused by an as yet unidentified virus. Public Health has worked with local hospitals and has sent samples to the CDC for testing to determine if these respiratory illnesses were caused by EV-D68 (enterovirus). Results of the testing are expected in the next few days. The Delaware Division of Public Health recommends the following steps to prevent illness due to respiratory viruses: - Wash hands with soap and water frequently for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers. - Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, especially after coughing or sneezing. - Practice respiratory etiquette by covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or coughing or sneezing into inner elbow. - Stay home from work or school when sick and do not return until 24 hours after a fever is gone. - Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick. - Contact your health care provider if you have any concerns. - Get an annual influenza vaccine to protect yourself from influenza, which is the most common virus causing severe respiratory illness. (At this time, there is no vaccine against EV-D68 infection.)
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 20:15:24 +0000
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