Enterovirus D68 Update: CDC Recommends Additional Precautions

As Enterovirus D68, or EV-D68, continues to spread across the United States, the CDC has released an official health advisory that provides guidelines for preventing the spread of the respiratory illness in healthcare settings.

Although early cases of EV-D68 were confined to children and young adults, nine cases of the illness have now been confirmed at a nursing home in Kentucky. The strain is being described as rare and easily spread. It produces symptoms similar to a severe cold and can also cause difficulty breathing.

Because the routes of transmission for EV-D68 are not fully understood, the CDC is now recommending that infection control guidelines in affected facilities include droplet precautions in addition to standard and contact precautions.

Droplet precautions include:

• Placing the ill person in a private room with a closed door if possible 
• Donning a facemask before entering the resident’s room and keeping it on during close contact with the resident 
• Wearing gloves, a gown and either goggles or a face shield if substantial spraying of respiratory fluids is anticipated
• Performing hand hygiene before and after touching the resident and after contact with respiratory secretions 
• Instructing the resident to wear a facemask when leaving their room or coming into contact with other people
• Following respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette guidelines 

To learn more, click here.

Professional Medical stocks a full range of infection control products, including personal protective equipment needed to adhere to droplet precautions. To learn more about our respirators, masks, gloves, gowns and more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.