Although Enterovirus D68 has not been reported in the New Haven school district, the state's one confirmed case is just down the street at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the school system wants to make sure parents are aware of the threat.
School officials held an information meeting on the virus to educate parents and community members Monday morning.
“I really want to emphasize that Enterovirus D68 is really similar to all respiratory viruses that we see, mostly causes the common cold," said Dr. Paul Aronson of Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. "The vast majority of teenagers, children will see symptoms such as cough, runny nose, sneezing, muscle aches, and should be treated by their parents as they would normally for the common cold.”
Those with more severe respiratory symptoms should see a doctor or go to the hospital and stay away from school.
“For all school children, if they are ill, they have to be kept at home until they are without symptoms for 24 hours,” said Ann Somsel, New Haven Public Schools' director of nursing.
Health care experts say that's especially true this time of year when we start to see other respiratory viruses, like the common cold and the flu.
New Haven Public Schools are making sure all the schools are disinfected to prevent the spread of any viruses.
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“That our custodial crews are going through and cleaning all these surfaces that do have many hands on them, whether that's the lunchroom or in the variety of classrooms,” said New Haven Supt. Garth Harries.
Doctors say the best way to keep you and your child healthy is good hygiene.
“Good hand hygiene is the most important way to limit the spread. Soap and water for 20 seconds is the best way to wash your hands, disinfecting common areas of contact,” said Aronson.
