By Michael Hill
Correspondent
Nine-year-old Alessia is one of 176,000 young asthmatics in New Jersey. She and her mother are looking over the prevention advisory for the enterovirus from University Hospital.
“Like the doctor said, we just have to continue the asthma treatment regimen and most importantly properly wash hands, that’s one of the most important things,” said Fabricia Olveira.
The CDC has confirmed one enterovirus case in New Jersey so far — a South Jersey child treated and released from a Philadelphia hospital.
At Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, Dr. David Cennimo said, “We’re watching the situation closely. I think the public right should be confident that this looks like a very mild illness to the vast majority of patients.”
The doctor says they usually have this virus this time of year as summer ends and fall begins but this strain — D68 — is different.
“It seems this virus more so than other viruses in its family likes to infect the lungs,” Cennimo said.
And that’s what causes infectious disease doctors the most concern. The enterovirus combined with asthma can land young patients like Alessia in the hospital.
“It’s a bit harsh. This time of year is harsh when she gets mostly sick,” Olveira said.
“This is a new strain and it tells you that this is always changing. Whenever we think we know everything there is some other virus out there that we haven’t found yet, it keeps us on our toes,” said Cennimo.
Doctors say the enterovirus has all the symptoms of the common cold and just like the cold and the flu here’s how to prevent it: wash hands with soap and water; avoid touching face; avoid close contact with someone sick; clean, disinfect frequently touched surfaces; stay home if sick, seek help; cough, sneeze in tissue or your elbow.
“I think many more have had it but mild symptoms, wouldn’t go to the doctor so how would you know,” Cennimo said.
The CDC is testing a dozen specimens from New Jersey and says it will know by next week if there are any more cases here.
But Dr. Cennimo says he fully anticipates New Jersey will have more enterovirus cases this season.