9/10/14 - Although there have been no confirmed cases of a new respiratory infection in Michigan, there have been reports of suspected cases and health officials at the national, state and local levels are keeping an eye on the situation. Medical Director Dr. Don Lawrenchuk with the Livingston County Department of Public Health says Enteroviruses have actually been around for many years. He tells WHMI the problem is that because this is a new strain, no one has natural immunity to it. Lawrenchuk says there have been reports throughout the state of an increase in emergency department visits due to respiratory illness and suspect cases, particularly in children. Lawrenchuk says from time to time, the genetic make-up of viruses sort of change and strains develop that people havenât had before so they donât have any natural immunity or antibodies against the disease, which is what appears to be happening with the Enterovirus 68. He stressed the importance of hand washing and recommends those who are sick stay home from work or school. Lawrenchuk also told WHMI itâs not too early to start thinking about getting an annual flu shot as recommended by the CDC. There have been confirmed cases of the Enterovirus as close as Ohio and Illinois and Lawrenchuk says with all of the increased travel today, when cases start showing up in one part of the country, it tends to be just a matter of time before they all start seeing them. Image courtesy of KMGH. (JM)
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