HEV-68 is probably the name of the virus that has monopolized the attention of American doctors for the past few weeks.
This respiratory virus seems to be spreading like wildfire since the beginning of August in the United States. Affecting mainly children, the disease would already have required a hospitalization for more than 900 young people, aged 6 months to 17 years.
The American health authorities are therefore sounding the alarm, because if no fatal case has yet been reported, the HEV-68 virus sometimes requires hospitalization in intensive care, because it worsens children’s respiratory problems. asthmatics.
In terms of symptoms, fever, rash and severe cold have been observed in those affected. The virus spreads when the individual coughs or sneezes, or when one comes into contact with an infected surface. The minimum precaution is therefore to wash your hands well and avoid any contact with an affected individual, who must isolate himself for a few days.
What amazes the experts above all is that nothing foreshadowed such an epidemic. The identification of the HEV-68 virus dates back to 1962, and between 2009 and 2013, only 79 cases were identified.
“This is not a new one virus, but HEV-68 is rather rare and not much is known about it compared to other viruses in its category ”explains Anne Schuchat, member of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .
HEV-68 is an enterovirus, close to rhinovirus, at the origin of the common cold.
The epidemic could still spread, according to American experts, because its transmission between children is facilitated by this period of back to school.
Twelve states have already reported the presence of outbreaks of contamination, a figure which could increase rapidly since for the moment no vaccine exists against this virus.
