News of Virus Reinforces Importance of Hand Washing

Courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

You have probably read many stories about EV-D68, a respiratory virus that has sickened children in Denver and Kansas City and has recently been reported in Iowa.

Des Moines Public Schools will continue to clean classrooms daily and some staff are additionally choosing to wipe down student desks, chairs and doorknobs periodically throughout the day.  We are encouraging students to wash their hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, cover coughs and stay home when they are sick.

This is what health officials tell us about EV-D68:

• Enteroviruses are very common viruses; there are more than 100 types.  Ten to 15 million enterovirus infections occur in the United States each year, usually in the summer and fall. Most people infected with enteroviruses have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, but some infections can be serious.
• Infants, children and teenagers with a history of asthma or those who have a condition that compromises their immune system are most likely to become seriously ill.  Parents of children with cold-like symptoms who experience difficulty breathing should contact their health care provider.

If you have questions about Enteroviruses, or EV-D68, contact your family doctor or the Polk County Health Department at (515) 286-3798.