September 10, 2014
The Adair County Department and Kansas City area Health Departments encourages all citizens to follow the following steps to slow the spread of the respiratory illness Enterovirus D68 in Missouri:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick
- Stay home when feeling sick and contact your health care provider
- Children with cold like symtoms that are experiencing difficulty breathing or speaking should be referred to their healthcare provide for further evaluation
“Local health officials say hand washing and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces will go a long way to slow the spread Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), the virus causing respiratory illness in people across the Midwest, including Kansas City.
Enteroviruses are very common, and most do not cause significant disease. However, EV-D68 is a rare type that can cause difficulty breathing and mimic an asthma attack. Most people who are infected will have symptoms of a common cold, but some may develop severe symptoms and need to seek medical attention.
As with other enteroviruses, EV-D68 appears to spread through close contact with infected people. There is no vaccine or anti-viral medication for this infection, so local health officials recommend the following (above steps) to slow the spread of this virus.”
Source: September 9th 2014 News Release Cass County, Clay County, Independence, Mo, Jackson County, Johnson County, Kansas City, Mo, Leavenworth County, Platte County, Ray County, and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Kansas Health Departments
