First Enterovirus D68 Case Confirmed In Massachusetts

BOSTON (CBS/AP) – The Department of Public Health has confirmed its first case of Enterovirus D68 in Massachusetts. Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett said Tuesday the patient was an eight-year-old girl in elementary school with a history of asthma. Boston Children’s Hospital Dr. Michael Agus. (WBZ) Boston Children’s Hospital later confirmed the girl was treated there and released, according to Dr. Michael Agus. “We treated her in our unit as she was relatively ill at the time, but has done terrifically well and is home,” said Agus. “I just spoke with her mother and she’s doing terrifically well at home.” Read: What to Know About Enterovirus State Epidemiologist Dr. Al DeMaria told reporters at a news conference the girl is from the southeastern part of the state, but he would not reveal the town. He added that testing samples were collected from the girl two weeks ago, so there may be more cases to come after more tests on more children are processed. “Not everything we’re seeing is due to one virus,” DeMaria cautioned, saying some patients have already been ruled out as having contracted D68. Read: DPH Advisory on Enterovirus (.pdf) In a statement Tuesday, Children’s Hospital said it sent 14 samples to DPH in the last 11 days for testing and 11 results have come back. Of those 11, one was negative and ten were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta for further testing. Of those ten sent ...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Seen On WBZ-TV Watch Listen Boston Children's Hospital CBS Boston Enterovirus Enterovirus D68 Massachusetts Source Type: news