The Door County Public Health Department has been notified by the Wisconsin Department of Health that a child in the county tested positive for the respiratory virus “enterovirus d68 or EVD-68.” Rhonda Kolberg, Door County public health director and health officer, says enterovirus infections are common, mostly occurring in the summer and fall. Kolberg says most people infected by the virus have little if any symptoms. However, infants, children and teenagers are most likely to become ill when infected by the virus. She says, that’s because they do not yet have immunity from previous exposures to the disease. Kolberg says symptoms may include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough and muscle aches. It is likely to spread from person to person wh3en someone coughs, sneezes or touches surfaces. There is no specific treatment for the virus and, while most symptoms are mild, children with asthma may have a higher risk of severe respiratory illness. Kolberg says the county public health department is continuing to monitor the situation.
In the meantime, she suggests following these steps; wash hands often, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with sick people, cover your coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces, and if you’re sick, stay home.
