A respiratory virus is sending hundreds of children to hospitals across the state, prompting the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to issue a health alert warning residents about the illnesses.
The alert states that pediatric hospitals in St. Louis have experienced a heavy increase of patients with respiratory illnesses. The same has occurred in Kansas City, in which a hospital reported more than 300 cases in their facility.
Hospitals in Hannibal, Missouri, and Quincy, Illinois, are restricting visitors to try to prevent a further outbreak as they also have received an influx of patients suffering from similar symptoms.
“We are restricting children under age 12 from visiting Blessing Hospital patients until further notice to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the virus for all involved: the children who would be visiting and our patients,” said Robert Merrick, an epidemiologist at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.
Hannibal Regional Hospital has asked that children 16 and younger refrain from visiting.
Many patients have tested positive for Enterovirus D68, according to the health alert. Enteroviruses, which usually bring about symptoms of an intense cold, are very common. However, this particular strain has not been seen often. Signs of D68 that differ from other enteroviruses include severe coughing, difficulty breathing, a rash and sometimes fever or wheezing.
Local hospitals have yet to report any cases of the virus. Children in Columbia seem to be staying relatively healthy, said Michelle Baumstark, community relations director for Columbia Public Schools.
“We have not had any significant absences or any absences related to the virus,” she said.
The school district hopes to continue to avoid any outbreaks with preventative measures.
“We are encouraging basically anything that would normally be recommended to stop the spread of illnesses,” Baumstark said.
Although younger children are more at risk of contracting this specific enterovirus, it is important for MU students to practice preventative measures as well, especially as other respiratory illnesses seem to be spreading around the university.
“Student Health Center medical providers are seeing a number of students with upper respiratory illnesses with symptoms including fever, congestion, sore throat, cough and body aches,” said Susan Even, the Student Health Center’s executive director.
Even said the illnesses are not strep throat or mononucleosis, and that there is no way to identify them as Enterovirus D68. Since these respiratory illnesses are caused by viruses, there are no antibiotics subscribed for treatment.
The Center for Disease Control recommends the following to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses: Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers; avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid kissing, hugging and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick; and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
Students should seek health care for fevers over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or if other symptoms persist.