Enterovirus D68: Where is it in Canada?
By Carmen Chai Global News
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In Alberta:
Alberta Health Services confirmed 18 cases of the enterovirus since August after testing about 100 kids. All of the cases were in hospitalized patients under the age of 18. Five were in Edmonton and 10 were in Calgary.
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In Ontario:
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In Windsor, Ont., health officials diagnosed 11 children with respiratory issues, but keep in mind: there’s no confirmation that it’s EV-D68.
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A potential case has also been reported in Oakville.
British Columbia:
On Sept. 16, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control confirmed three cases of enterovirus.
READ MORE: 3 cases of enterovirus confirmed in B.C.
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Saskatchewan:
Cases haven’t been reported in this province either. Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer says there’s no cause for concern.
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Nova Scotia:
“This virus, enterovirus, is around every year especially during the summer and causes summer colds. What is it about this strain that’s causing more severe illness than usual, I think nobody is clear on that,” said Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Strang.
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No cases have been reported in Nova Scotia, but Strang said he is keeping a close eye on the situation.
“We certainly have the capacity to detect this. If we start to see increased clusters in viral illnesses in emergency room visits and hospitalizations, we have a system in place in general to detect that and to work with our labs to determine what the cause is,” Strang said.
Quebec:
A spokesperson for the Montreal Children’s Hospital told Global News that although there are no confirmed cases at that hospital, there have been patients with respiratory symptoms.
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How to protect your kids from EV-D68
Enteroviruses, such as EV-D68, are related to the common cold virus and can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing, by close contact with infected persons or by touching a contaminated surface.
The Public Health Agency of Canada says the most effective measures you can do to protect yourself and children against enteroviruses such as EV-D68 are:
•Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
· If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer.
· Wash your hands: before and after eating, after you have been in a public place, after using the washroom, after coughing and sneezing, after touching common surfaces
•Cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand
• Keep your hands away from your face
•Keep common surface areas clean and disinfected
•If you get sick, stay home
•Ensure your immunizations are up to date
- With files from Su-Ling Goh, Julia Wong, Amanda Kelly and Meaghan Craig.
http://globalnews.ca/news/1566829/enterovirus-d68-where-is-it-in-canada/
carmen.chai@globalnews.ca
Follow @Carmen_Chai
© Shaw Media, 2014
By Carmen Chai Global News
snip
In Alberta:
Alberta Health Services confirmed 18 cases of the enterovirus since August after testing about 100 kids. All of the cases were in hospitalized patients under the age of 18. Five were in Edmonton and 10 were in Calgary.
snip
In Ontario:
snip
In Windsor, Ont., health officials diagnosed 11 children with respiratory issues, but keep in mind: there’s no confirmation that it’s EV-D68.
snip
A potential case has also been reported in Oakville.
British Columbia:
On Sept. 16, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control confirmed three cases of enterovirus.
READ MORE: 3 cases of enterovirus confirmed in B.C.
snip
Saskatchewan:
Cases haven’t been reported in this province either. Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer says there’s no cause for concern.
snip
Nova Scotia:
“This virus, enterovirus, is around every year especially during the summer and causes summer colds. What is it about this strain that’s causing more severe illness than usual, I think nobody is clear on that,” said Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Strang.
snip
No cases have been reported in Nova Scotia, but Strang said he is keeping a close eye on the situation.
“We certainly have the capacity to detect this. If we start to see increased clusters in viral illnesses in emergency room visits and hospitalizations, we have a system in place in general to detect that and to work with our labs to determine what the cause is,” Strang said.
Quebec:
A spokesperson for the Montreal Children’s Hospital told Global News that although there are no confirmed cases at that hospital, there have been patients with respiratory symptoms.
snip
How to protect your kids from EV-D68
Enteroviruses, such as EV-D68, are related to the common cold virus and can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing, by close contact with infected persons or by touching a contaminated surface.
The Public Health Agency of Canada says the most effective measures you can do to protect yourself and children against enteroviruses such as EV-D68 are:
•Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
· If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer.
· Wash your hands: before and after eating, after you have been in a public place, after using the washroom, after coughing and sneezing, after touching common surfaces
•Cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand
• Keep your hands away from your face
•Keep common surface areas clean and disinfected
•If you get sick, stay home
•Ensure your immunizations are up to date
- With files from Su-Ling Goh, Julia Wong, Amanda Kelly and Meaghan Craig.
http://globalnews.ca/news/1566829/enterovirus-d68-where-is-it-in-canada/
carmen.chai@globalnews.ca
Follow @Carmen_Chai
© Shaw Media, 2014