A New Jersey high school has a confirmed case of the unusual strain of enterovirus that has sickened more than 500 people nationwide this year, according to the district superintendent.
The case at Bound Brook High School is the first confirmed EV-68 case in Somerset County. It's not clear if the sick person is a staff member or a student, but the virus is prone to affect children.
In a letter sent to parents last week, Daniel Gallagher, superintendent of Bound Brook schools, said the administrative and maintenance departments were working with the high school's physician and the state health department to ensure all proper protocols are being followed.
Earlier this week, officials with the state Health Department confirmed three additional cases in Monmouth County.
The new EV-D68 cases brings the total number to 18 in New Jersey, with cases in the following counties:
- Monmouth County – 3
- Morris County – 3
- Mercer County – 2
- Camden County – 2
- Middlesex County – 2
- Burlington County – 2
- Passaic County – 1
- Somerset County -- 1
- Sussex County – 1
- Essex County -1
Last month, 4-year-old Eli Waller of Mercer County died of the virus.
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Enteroviruses, which usually cause mild cold-like symptoms that last about a week, are common, afflicting up to 15 million people in the U.S. each year, but the CDC says this particular strain of the virus is unusually severe.
This year the virus has sickened more than 500 people in 43 states and Washington, D.C. — almost all of them children.
Infants and children are at particular risk, and though most affected people recover on their own and have no future problems, those with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions such as asthma may need to be hospitalized.
