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| − | (CNN) Respiratory illnesses caused by an enterovirus are sending hundreds of children to hospitals throughout the Midwest and Southeast, health officials say.
| + | JEFFERSON COUNTY 鈥?A county councilman seeking re- election in November is under fire for campaign literature he sent using county letterhead. The top of the letter sent <a href=http://www. avanttravel.com/ michaelkorssonline. php> Michael Kors uk</a> by Don Bickowski says 鈥淛efferson County, Missouri 鈥?Council. 鈥?It features the county鈥檚 seal as well as the names of the six other Council members and County Executive Ken Waller. In the letter, Bickowski, a Republican, cites reasons to vote for him. 鈥淭oday, I ask for your help. For me to continue providing you a voice in County government, I need your vote, 鈥?the letter says. The bottom of the letter says, 鈥淧aid for by Don Bickowski. 鈥漊sing county letterhead to campaign is not a violation of state ethics rules unless public funds were used, James Klahr, executive director <a href=http://www. alportico. net/ prodotti/ christianlouboutin- sale.jkmsw. php> Christian Louboutin Discount</a> of the Missouri Ethics Commission, said. Bickowski defended his actions, saying Tuesday that no public money had been spent and that he had used his own computer and office supplies. 鈥淭here was no intent other than to inform certain residents what was going on, 鈥?he said of the letter. Others <a href=http:// capstone. edu. sg/ images/ gucciusaonlineoutlet. php> gucci outlet</a> disagree.鈥淚t gives the impression this is a County Council letter,鈥?said Arnold lawyer Steven Davis, who spoke about the letter on his KJFF radio program 鈥淲here Do You Stand Jefferson County?鈥?on Friday morning.Bickowski鈥檚 opponent, Democrat Danny Tuggle, agreed. 鈥淗e used bad judgment, and he didn鈥檛 make it fair for me by using county letterhead,鈥?Tuggle said. Council members Terri Kreitler, Cliff Lane and Kelly Waymon also voiced their displeasure with Bickowski鈥檚 use of the letterhead, at Monday鈥檚 County Council meeting. |
| − | Twelve states are reporting clusters of enterovirus illness: Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Utah.
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| − | Four of those states Colorado, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa have confirmed cases of Enterovirus D68, also known as EV-D68.
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| − | Enteroviruses, which can cause a variety of symptoms, aren t unusual. If you ve ever had a bad summer cold, it was likely caused by an enterovirus. The CDC estimates there are 10 to 15 <a href=http://www. aec-ist.com/ css/Gucci-Outlet-Online-Money-Clip-Mens-Jacket-Mens-Jeans. html> Gucci Money Clip</a> million viral infections each year in the United States. The season often hits its peak in September. | + | |
| − | It s important to remember that these infections are very common, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, assistant surgeon general for the U.S. Public Health Service and the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
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| − | But this particular type of enterovirus EV-D68 is less common. And health officials are concerned by the number of hospitalizations it has caused this year.
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| − | It s worse in terms of scope of critically ill children who require intensive care. I would call it unprecedented. I ve practiced for 30 years in pediatrics, and I ve never seen anything quite like this, said Dr. Mary Anne Jackson, division director for infectious diseases at Children s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
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| − | Staff members noticed an initial spike on August 15, Jackson said.
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| − | It could have taken off right after school started. Our students start back around August 17, and I think it blew up at that point, Jackson said.
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| − | Many of the children who are being hospitalized have a history of asthma or wheezing, says Dr. Christine Nyquist, medical director of infection control at Children s Hospital Colorado. EV-D68 seems to exacerbate any breathing problems that aren t under control with medication.
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| − | Children s Hospital Colorado has seen a 12% to 15% increase in emergency room visits and admissions this month compared with the same time frame last year, Nyquist said. The hospital sent 25 samples to the CDC from patients with respiratory illness. Around 75% were confirmed to be EV-D68.
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| − | On Monday, the CDC confirmed that 11 samples it tested from children who had been hospitalized in Chicago tested positive for EV-D68. Nineteen of the 22 specimens sent to the CDC from <a href=http://www. aec-ist. com/ css/ Gucci- Sale-Online-Women-Shoes-Shoe-Sale-Men-Watches. html> Gucci Men Watches</a> Kansas City also showed signs of the virus, meaning there is likely a regional outbreak. | + | |
| − | The Iowa Department of Public Health confirmed that EV-D68 cases have been identified in that state. Officials are hearing of illnesses across the state, they say, though there is not a firm count of how many people have been infected.
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| − | EV-D68 was first identified in the 1960s, and there have been fewer than 100 reported cases since that time. But it s possible that the relatively low number is due to the fact that the CDC doesn t require health departments to track EV-D68.
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| − | It s one that we don t know as much about as we would like, Schuchat said.
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| − | EV-D68 was seen last year in the United States and this year in various parts of the world. Over the years, clusters have been reported in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona and various countries, including the Philippines, Japan and the Netherlands. Health officials don t know why the enterovirus has created such a problem this year.
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| − | That s the scary part the unpredictability, I think, Nyquist said.
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| − | The unusually high number of hospitalizations reported could be just the tip of the iceberg in terms of severe cases, said Mark Pallansch, a virologist and director of the CDC s Division of Viral Diseases. As states continue to send samples to the CDC, the public health agency will get a clearer picture of the number of viral infections being caused.
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| − | In the meantime, parents should be on the lookout for signs that their child is having difficulty breathing. Other common symptoms of the virus include coughing, fever and rash.
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| − | It s important to make sure your children with asthma are on their medicines and keeping up with their medication routine, Schuchat said.
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| − | Like other enteroviruses, EV-D68 appears to spread through close contact with infected people.
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| − | To reduce the risk of infection, wash your hands often <a href=http:// www. aec-ist. com/ css/ Cheap-Gucci-Handbags-Outlet-Stores-Online-Sale-Winter-Hat. html> Gucci Online Sale</a> with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, and avoid contact with people who are sick. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as toys and doorknobs, and stay home when you feeling under the weather to avoid infecting others. | + | |
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JEFFERSON COUNTY 鈥?A county councilman seeking re-election in November is under fire for campaign literature he sent using county letterhead.The top of the letter sent <a href=http://www.avanttravel.com/michaelkorssonline.php>Michael Kors uk</a> by Don Bickowski says 鈥淛efferson County, Missouri 鈥?Council.鈥?It features the county鈥檚 seal as well as the names of the six other Council members and County Executive Ken Waller.In the letter, Bickowski, a Republican, cites reasons to vote for him.鈥淭oday, I ask for your help. For me to continue providing you a voice in County government, I need your vote,鈥?the letter says.The bottom of the letter says, 鈥淧aid for by Don Bickowski.鈥漊sing county letterhead to campaign is not a violation of state ethics rules unless public funds were used, James Klahr, executive director <a href=http://www.alportico.net/prodotti/christianlouboutin-sale.jkmsw.php>Christian Louboutin Discount</a> of the Missouri Ethics Commission, said.Bickowski defended his actions, saying Tuesday that no public money had been spent and that he had used his own computer and office supplies.鈥淭here was no intent other than to inform certain residents what was going on,鈥?he said of the letter.Others <a href=http://capstone.edu.sg/images/gucciusaonlineoutlet.php>gucci outlet</a> disagree.鈥淚t gives the impression this is a County Council letter,鈥?said Arnold lawyer Steven Davis, who spoke about the letter on his KJFF radio program 鈥淲here Do You Stand Jefferson County?鈥?on Friday morning.Bickowski鈥檚 opponent, Democrat Danny Tuggle, agreed.鈥淗e used bad judgment, and he didn鈥檛 make it fair for me by using county letterhead,鈥?Tuggle said.Council members Terri Kreitler, Cliff Lane and Kelly Waymon also voiced their displeasure with Bickowski鈥檚 use of the letterhead, at Monday鈥檚 County Council meeting.
