Local school districts are reaffirming student hygiene standards in the wake of the non-polio enterovirus (EV- D68) that’s been found in the United States. A strain of the enterovirus was found in Southampton’s middle and high schools, but officials say it was not the virus that has caused the national EV-D68 outbreak.
The disease disproportionately affects infants, children and adolescents who lack immunity, according to the Center for Disease Control. School districts have been notified to follow New York State Health Department guidelines to combat possible infections.
“It’s [enterovirus] typically mild and parents should treat it like they would any other cold or viral infection in their child,” said Dr. Charles Schleien, chairman of the department of pediatrics at Cohen Children’s Medical Center at North Shore LIJ Health System.
The symptoms of EV-D68 may include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body and muscle aches. Anyone with respiratory illness should contact their doctor if they are having difficulty breathing or if their symptoms are getting worse, officials say.
“It’s more about making parents and staff members aware,” Herricks School District Superintendent John Bierwirth said. “The virus, for most people, does not appear to be anything
different than a normal cold. But the problem is those people, if the virus is what they have, they pose a significant threat to students who are vulnerable due to respiratory issues.”
School officials say students should wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Parents should do the same, especially after changing diapers. Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Herricks nurses and head custodians met on Wednesday, Oct. 15 to discuss hygiene plans.
“The biggest reason why we had such a record-breaking month was because of the enterovirus outbreak that has been going on across the country and has been in the Northeast for the past several weeks,” said Peter Silver, M.D., chief of pediatric critical care medicine at Cohen’s. “In September, we admitted 68 children with enterovirus.”
Furthermore, officials say people should avoid kissing, hugging or sharing cups or utensils with people who are sick. Parents are reminded that if your child is sick, keep them home.
“We’re trying to get parents to keep kids home to negate any future issue,” said Bierwirth. “We’re reminding people to take precautions and be conscientious about [hygiene].”
A letter is available on the school district website that details measures parents can take to combat EV-D68 if their child gets sick.
