Health Officials Hope Enterovirus D68 Has Peaked In Colorado
DENVER (CBS4) – Health officials hope that enterovirus D68 has peaked in Colorado following the news that three people infected with the virus have died in other states.
The virus has affected more than 4,000 children in Colorado.
On Wednesday it was announced a 10-year-old child from Rhode Island infected with the virus died last week. The role that enterovirus 68 played in the girl's death is unclear. Health officials emphasize that she died after suffering from both the respiratory virus that's been affecting thousands of children and a bacterial infection.
The girl had been in good health. She was rushed to a hospital in Providence when her parents noticed she was having trouble breathing. It turned out the girl old also had sepsis. Health officials call the two illnesses a very rare combination.
"From an infectious disease perspective this is a perfect storm. The combination of staph aureus and D68 is very rare. This is an isolated case and which obviously led to a tragic outcome, but is not something we expect to see again," Dr. Michael Fine with the Rhode Island Department of Health said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also investigating the cases of 10 children in Colorado who have the virus and also muscle weakness.