by Shradha Singh, Staff writer
As so many Americans remain increasingly afraid of the Ebola virus in West Africa, a closer and comparatively much more troubling virus is currently pervading the United States. Enterovirus, a severe respiratory disease, has been affecting children and infants across the country, resulting in death for some of its victims.
The outbreak was first detected in late August of this year, with clusters of cases appearing in Missouri and Illinois. Since that time, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported a total of at least 1,116 cases of enterovirus in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Of those afflicted, at least seven have died, the most recent being a five-month-old infant in New Jersey. This unfortunate result contrasts to the only two cases of Ebola that have been contracted within the United States, neither of which proved deadly. Though enterovirus is not new to the U.S., having been identified in California in 1962, this particular strain, enterovirus D-68, has proven to be much more active and difficult to treat than ever before, raising concern within the CDC.
The virus has so far exclusively impacted children and teenagers, especially those who suffer from asthma or some other previous respiratory condition. Adults are typically immune, having been previously exposed to other forms of the virus. Those who contract the virus are usually asymptomatic (showing few, if any, symptoms). People who do display symptoms usually contract a mild fever, have a runny nose, body and muscle aches, and start wheezing or have difficulty breathing. More serious cases can result in hospitalization and patients may be placed on ventilatory support if their respiratory function is severely affected. The five cases detected in California have also been characterized by polio-like symptoms, which is not surprising considering that in severe cases enterovirus D-68 has been known to cause paralysis.
Though the symptoms of the virus are known, the cause of the current outbreak is still a mystery. Enterovirus is usually transmitted through close or indirect contact with infected people or objects. Yet, the extreme spread of cases across the country has made it difficult to pinpoint the exact source. Though some news agencies have speculated a possible link between the outbreak of the virus and the recent influx of illegal immigrant children across the border, the news is unconfirmed, and, at best, is only an untested hypothesis. Despite the relative familiarity of enterovirus to health officials, it is still not quite known enough to be sure of any environmental or climatic origins. What is known is that the virus is evolving, mutating into something more transmissible and pathogenic than previous strains.
The CDC researchers have been investigating several antiviral drugs for treatment of the infection; none of which have been effective so far. Supportive care remains the only treatment for the virus. So far, a minor consolation has been that enterovirus is typically a seasonal illness, arising in late summer and early fall. Health officials are hopeful that this outbreak will wind down as winter swiftly approaches.