Symptoms and Treatments of Enterovirus D68—What You Need To Know About Hoof And Mouth Disease

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Breaking out in the Midwest and sending hundreds of children into emergency rooms across the states, it would appear with the resurgence of enterovirus D68, that we too are facing a viral epidemic. Though not as severe as Ebola, enterovirus D68, more commonly known as the virus to cause hoof and mouth disease, is not one to be trifled with because its intended hosts are children. Particularly difficult on the lungs, the respiratory illness is known to be relatively mild with great discomfort, however, can cause death from a myriad of complications such as asthma in its young hosts.

Originally discovered after an outbreak in California in 1962, the virus has rarely been seen since, with small clusters of disease throughout the US. Easily spread through mucosal contact and sneezing throughout the air, the virus has found its primary demographic amongst children who have a knack for sharing infections on the playground. And it's the enterovirus' unique symptoms that allow it to go undetected until the virus has taken a hold of its playschool hosts.

Division Director of Infectious Disease at the Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO, Dr. Mary Anne Jackson says that D68 doesn't seem to follow the classic viral patterns of fever, cough and runny nose in children. Rather, "only 25% to 30% of [the] kids have fever, so the vast majority do not." Instead, much like with other respiratory infections like the croup, the children may experience labored breathing and wheezing, even if they have never had a history of asthmatic episodes before.

"The problem is that they're just not moving air" Jackson says.

As the typical enterovirus season runs from July through October, Jackson says that the infection may in fact get worse before it gets better. And it's no mere coincidence that the resurgence of hoof and mouth disease coincided with the back to school season because now the virus has a foothold with easily infected children.

"If you have a new virus that has not been widely circulated, most people are going to be susceptible" Jackson says. "In order for this virus to stop, it's going to have to infect enough of the population to provide immunity and essentially burn itself out."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has taken early steps in this infection, monitoring cases across the Midwest, however, are confident that as the virus is not a new strain, that we can expect to see similar cases as the 1962 breakout. As most cases can range in children from 6 months to 16 years, with the majority being 4 to 5 years old, the CDC and local hospitals are urging parents to talk with their children about the importance good hygiene plays in disease prevention. Washing hands and sterilizing dirty surfaces are great ways to prevent the spread of the disease, but doctors say that parents should remain vigilant and keep their eyes open for symptoms, especially if their children have histories of breathing problems like asthma.