Never mind the West Nile Virus – which has only claimed four lives in Orange County and has mostly sickened homeless people who sleep outdoors. A far more serious disease has arrived in California and it targets our children. I am referring to Enterovirus D68.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) confirmed four Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) cases in patients in San Diego (3) and Ventura (1) counties earlier this month.
The four Enterovirus D68 cases are the first confirmed cases in California in 2014 due to EV-D68. But the USA Today reported back in February of this year that “A mysterious polio-like syndrome has affected as many as 25 California children, leaving them with paralyzed limbs and little hope of recovery.” That article stated that the disease was not identified but was thought to be an Enterovirus. Continue reading