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Valley View says EV-D68 virus has not been confirmed here

Staff Report

Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs issued a statement Thursday afternoon about enterovirus-D68, which causes a respiratory ailment that has sickened hundreds of people, mostly children, across 12 states.

“Recent reports from Denver and other cities in the country regarding enterovirus-D68 have raised questions about the presence of this virus in Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley. To date, Valley View is not experiencing a significant rise in severe respiratory illnesses in our pediatric patients. While a number of patients have had respiratory symptoms that could be the EV-D68, they have not been confirmed.

“Like many hospitals, Valley View can test for enterovirus but cannot perform typing to specifically identify EV-D68. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers testing that can specifically identify EV-D68.



“‘Our patients who have shown some of these symptoms so far have been mild and limited,’ said Stacey Gavrell, executive director of community relations and development. Gavrell also noted that health-care professionals are not required to report known or suspected cases of EV-D68 infection to health departments because it is not a reportable disease in the United States.

“‘We encourage everyone to take the following steps to prevent respiratory viruses: frequent hand washing; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid kissing, hugging and sharing cups, etc. with people who are sick,’ Gavrell said.



“Should symptoms arise, parents should contact their primary care provider.”


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