[UPDATE: At 1:41 p.m., the City of LB issued the following release]

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services confirms that an infant in Long Beach has been diagnosed with Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). The child was briefly hospitalized and has recovered.

From mid-August to October 1, 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 500 people in 42 states and the District of Columbia with respiratory illness due to EV-D68.

Enterovirus D68 causes mild to severe respiratory illness. Children with asthma are at highest risk of developing severe complications. Symptoms may include fever, cough, runny nose, and body aches. Severe symptoms may include wheezing and difficulty breathing.

The virus is found in an infected person’s respiratory secretions, such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum. EV-D68 can spread from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces.

"We always urge residents to wash their hands with soap and water to prevent disease transmission," said Dr. Mitchell Kushner, Long Beach City Health Officer. Additional recommendations include:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.

• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.

To reduce risk of severe respiratory illness, people with asthma should regularly take their medication and maintain control of their illness. People with asthma are also encouraged to get the influenza vaccine.

Citing HIPPA rules, Matthew Farhadi, Marketing Representative for LB Memorial/Miller Children's & Women's hospital, declined to say how long the patient was at the hospital.

L.A. County Health Dept. officials separately held a news conference at Children's Hopsital in Los Angeles about a second L.A. County case of Enterovirus D68. In that case, the patient was at school age (between 5-10 years old) and was hospitalized after exhibiting limb weakness.

UPDATE: The L.A. County Health Dept. has issued the following release on the second confirmed case of Enterovirus D68. [Note re release text: Since Long Beach has its own separate Health Dept. LA County officials don't include LB cases in their total (which is why the release says L.A. County had only "one" case when there have actually been two L.A. County cases when one includes LB.]

The Department of Public Health has confirmed one case of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) in Los Angeles County. The patient is a child who became ill in late August with a respiratory infection. The patient then developed acute limb weakness, which can be a symptom of EV-D68. To date, one EV-D68 infection has been documented for this year in Los Angeles County (excluding the Cities of Pasadena and Long Beach).

"It is important to note that while enteroviruses are very common, especially among children, most cases of enterovirus will not lead to serious illness," said Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Interim Health Officer. "Acute limb weakness and other neurological symptoms are uncommon with any enterovirus, including EV-D68. The best way to prevent the spread of this illness is through simple hand washing, and other basic hygiene. We recommend that all residents, especially children, wash their hands frequently with soap and water; avoid touching their face with their hands; and stay home when sick."

A cluster of EV-D68 was first reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier this year, and, as of September 29, has been detected in 443 cases across 40 states, including California. While enteroviruses seldom are tested to identify the specific virus that is causing illness, interest in this specific subtype has led to increased testing. This virus is not new and this subtype has been known to cause outbreaks in the past. Doctors are not required to report cases of enteroviruses to health departments, so historical information on this subtype is not known. Currently, reports of EV-D68 have primarily identified individuals who have illness that is toward the more severe end of the illness spectrum, such as hospitalizations or acute limb weakness.

Symptoms and Treatment

This virus usually occurs more frequently in late summer and fall. Symptoms of EV-D68 are generally mild and include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and body and muscle aches. Some people may also have fever. Neurological disease, including viral meningitis and limb weakness, can occur in more severe cases.

Children with a history of asthma or wheezing are more likely to develop serious respiratory illness. There is no specific vaccine or treatment for people with respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. Signs of mild respiratory illness may be relieved with over-the-counter medicine for pain and fever. Children should not be given aspirin. Immediate medical attention should be sought for anyone having any difficulty breathing, like wheezing, difficulty speaking or eating, belly pulling in with breaths, or blueness around the lips, especially if the person has asthma or a history of wheezing.

Prevention

EV-D68 spreads from person-to-person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces. Infants, children, and teenagers are most likely to get infected with enteroviruses and become ill because they do not yet have immunity from previous exposures to these viruses.

To help prevent the spread of illness:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against EV-D68.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.

• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.

• Stay home if you are sick.

As for any infection, children and adults with fever, cough, wheezing, or difficulty breathing should see their usual health care provider.

For more information about enterovirus D68 and other respiratory illnesses, visit the Public Health website at this website...

LBREPORT.com will update this story as we learn further.