Experts: Virus not officially in state
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on September 10, 2014 1:46 PM
While no reports of the enterovirus have been reported in North Carolina, local officials are staying alert to the possibility.
"Thus far I have received no information from local physicians, to include pediatricians, with regard to cases that are diagnosed," said Allison Pridgen, director of student support services for Wayne County Public Schools.
She said it appeared that so far the cases of enterovirus reported had been in states west of North Carolina but it is reasonable to consider the upper respiratory illness could make its way here.
"We of course have to be on our toes so that we're ready if it comes to that," she said.
The district keeps in close contact with physicians and is required to notify the Health Department to report cases of illness in a school, Mrs. Pridgen said.
"There's a lot of good tracking that goes on within the state," she said.
Dr. David Tayloe of Goldsboro Pediatrics said he had not heard of any cases of children being diagnosed locally with the virus. Since it is fall, the pollen season, he pointed out that there could be some conflicting symptoms.
He said he had spoken Tuesday night with some physicians from Wake Med in Raleigh who had an interesting take on the situation.
"They are convinced that they are seeing the enterovirus described in the Midwest -- lots of children with flu-like symptoms who are wheezing," he said. "The problem appears to be that there is no readily available lab test to help us prove whether we are seeing the same thing they are reporting in the Midwest.
"At any rate, this is not a life-threatening viral illness, like Ebola, so the children recover with conventional management, although some need hospitalization for oxygen, breathing treatments and IV fluids/medicines."