STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island school parents of young children say they are concerned and taking precautions against the spread of the enterovirus D68, especially after the death of a 4-year-old New Jersey pre-schooler. Little Eli Waller died in his sleep; the medical examiner later ruled the boy's death was due to symptoms of the enterovirus. The state...
This undated photo provided by his father shows Eli Thomas Waller of Hamilton Township, N.J. , who died Sept. 25, of the enterovirus. (Associated Press)STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island school parents of young children say they are concerned and taking precautions against the spread of the enterovirus D68, especially after the death of a 4-year-old New Jersey pre-schooler.
Little Eli Waller died in his sleep; the medical examiner later ruled the boy's death was due to symptoms of the enterovirus.
The state Health Department has issued an advisory to school districts throughout New York regarding the enterovirus, which the agency described as "a serious respiratory illness" that has been confirmed in more than a dozen schoolchildren in the state, although no deaths here have been reported.
According to the Health Department, the virus "can cause severe respiratory illness in children, especially those with asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions, sometimes resulting in hospitalization."
Symptoms include, but are not limited to, fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing and body aches. Most infected persons have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, but some infections can be serious.
The virus is transmitted through close contact with a person who is already infected, and/or by touching objects or surfaces contaminated with the virus, and then touching one's mouth, nose, or eyes.
The Health Department said the spread of the virus can be minimized by taking the following precautions:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid kissing, hugging, sharing cups or eating utensils, especially with people who are sick.
- Disinfect frequently-touched surfaces, such as toys, doorknobs, desks, and any other items within a classroom that is shared among children.
- In general, exercise the same precautions used to prevent the spread of influenza.
Pediatricians also recommend keeping children home from school when they are sick, to avoid the spread of germs.
Parents Tuesday said they are already taking precautions.
"We tell her all the time, wash your hands, and use the soap, to kill the germs. As soon as she comes home from school, she washes her hands good," said Grace Pucciarelli about her granddaughter, Guliana, 4, who she had just picked up at dismissal outside PS 9, Concord.
Joana Mendez said she arms her three children, Valeri, 4; Jarizat, 3, and Nicholas, 2, with hand sanitizer, "and I showed them what to do with it," she said.
"I tell them every time they cough or sneeze, or before they eat anything, they have to wash their hands with soap and water. I tell them to make sure they wash their hands in school, too, before they eat, and after they touch something," she added.
Even Mayor Bill de Blasio weighed in on the issue, acknowledging parent concerns Tuesday during an unrelated press conference in Queens.
"If you see your children showing symptoms, unusual symptoms, cold or cough or something that seems to be more sustained than usual, it's important to seek medical attention," he said. Parents can call 311, he said, if they need further information.
The mayor also urged parents, particularly of children with asthma and other respiratory problems, to make sure their children get a flu shot.
"I want to make sure the facts are out there because there has been concern in recent days for what this means for people in New York City," he said.
De Blasio said the city Health Department is also monitoring hospital admissions throughout the city. "What they are looking for are any trends we have to act on, particularly cases where people who have asthma or respiratory issues are experiencing . . . flu-like symptoms, that are severe."