Mysterious Virus Spreading Across U.S. and Canada Is Primarily Affecting Vaccinated Children

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It’s being considered a severe respiratory virus known as EV-D68. It hits hard and fast and has already created an outbreak in Colorado, Missouri, Utah, Kansas, Illinois, Ohio, and four more states in the Midwest. It has also crossed over the Canada with confirmed cases in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Although there is no known vaccine for the virus, ironically a common theme has been discovered in those who have been infected…they have all been vaccinated.

The symptoms can mimic those of the influenza virus, but can have a much more dire impact on those that fall ill. Dr. Mary Anne Jackson, the hospital’s division director for infectious disease shared her concern withCNN.

“It’s worse in terms of scope of critically ill children who require intensive care. I would call it unprecedented. I’ve practiced for 30 years in pediatrics, and I’ve never seen anything quite like this.”

The Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has infected more than 150 children in the U.S., and has recently spread to Canada with 18 confirmed cases in three provinces.

So far, no one has died from the virus but dozens of children have had to be treated in intensive care units.

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. In general, Enteroviruses circulate and peak in the summer and fall months so it is not unusual to see increased illnesses caused by Enteroviruses this time of year, however the intensity at which the virus is attacking children is rare.

There are more than 100 types of enteroviruses causing about 10 to 15 million infections in the United States each year, according to the CDC. They are carried in the intestinal tract and often spread to other parts of the body.

Although there is no known vaccine for the virus, and the scope which it will reach is also unknown, those that have become infected are following a common theme. They have all been vaccinated with the MMR vaccines, influenza vaccines, and polio vaccines. Of course, many children in the United States have been vaccinated, and most are required to be vaccinated in order to enter school. However, it is interesting to note that the illness is not occurring, yet, in children that have not been vaccinated.

“So far all of the reports we are seeing are coming in from children who have been partially or fully immunized,” said infectious disease specialist Dr. Heather Ashton. “Reports are managed through the National Enterovirus Surveillance System and the summaries thus far are all coming in from vaccinated pediatric populations in the U.S. and Canada.”

Dr. Pritish Tosh, an infectious diseases physician-researcher at the Mayo Clinic, added: “When dealing with respiratory illnesses in young people, they can be severe and result in hospitalizations and the requirement of intensive care. And it looks as through this strain of the virus is causing infections in children severe enough to get them admitted to the hospital.”

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