District steps up cleaning, training to thwart spread of virus
By Kristin Ramsdell, Correspondent, The Times
EAST MARLBOROUGH — The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District confirmed this week that it has seen its first case of the EV-D68 virus — a virulent virus that has hospitalized some children in parts of the midwest — involving a Unionville High School student “who will remain home until cleared to return.”
But district officials said that they are taking steps to make sure everything possible is being done to prevent the spread of the virus.
Dave Listman, the Communications Coordinator for UCFSD, said Wednesday that the district is in contact with the Chester County Department of Health and continues to implement appropriate measures to minimize students’ exposure to the virus. In addition to notifying parents, information regarding the virus, how it spreads, and the importance of hand washing has been disseminated to faculty and staff.
“The UHS nurse is stepping up her wipe-downs of doorknobs and common surfaces in her office and she is working with building maintenance to increase the maintenance staff’s awareness of the importance of diligence and thoroughness in their nightly clean-up,” Listman said.
Parents are urged to keep children home from school if they are sick, he added.
EV-D68 is a rare enterovirus, a respiratory illness with initial outbreaks in Missouri and Illinois, affecting children from six weeks old through age 16. According to the CDC, this particular virus spreads much like the common cold – through sneezing, coughing, or exposure to contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of infection include fever, cough, runny nose, and sore throat. Young children and those with a history of asthma and/or wheezing are particularly vulnerable to the more severe complications from the virus. Parents and school officials should be aware of these symptoms and watch for labored breathing, as hospitalization may be required.
On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced three confirmed cases of EV-D68 from children hospitalized in an unnamed Philadelphia hospital. The Department of Health also advised the following to decrease the risk for infection:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cough into your sleeve or a tissue.
• Avoid kissing, hugging and sharing cups, eating utensils, etc. with people who are sick.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/index.html.
