HomeMy Public PortalAboutEnterovirus Letter to Parents_201410021559044812TOWN OF WATERTOWN
Board of Health
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6446
Fax: 617-972-6499
www.watertown-ma.gov
October 1, 2014
Dear Watertown Parent or Guardian,
As you may be aware, news regarding a virus called Enterovirus — D68 (EV-68) a virus that has been causing mild
to severe respiratory illnesses is quickly evolving. The Watertown Health Department is working closely with state
and local officials to monitor this virus and provide Watertown residents with appropriate information.
We are advising you to be aware of the signs and symptoms of EV-D68. Most people who are infected with
enteroviruses have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, but some infections can be serious resulting in
hospitalization, especially among children with asthma.
Children who are mildly ill might have cold symptoms such as runny nose, congestion; wheezing; cough; and fever.
A history of asthma may put children at higher risk for serve illness from EV-68. Children with severe illness
might have trouble breathing or severe wheezing, and should be evaluated by a medical provider as soon as
possible.
To best protect your family, we advise taking the following steps:
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Keep children who are sick at home. Don't send them to school. Consult your doctor.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes. Teach children to always cover their coughs and sneezes with tissues or
by cough into the crook of their elbow instead of into their hands.
• Don't touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Disinfect surfaces that are touched often, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
Treat typical cold symptoms such as: stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, and sore throat as you normally would, with
rest, drink plenty of liquids, use saline nasal drops and run a humidified in the home. Keep a close eye on sick
children, especially those with asthma. If you notice a child is breathing faster or harder than usual, call your health
care provider right away.
Download the Enterovirus Fact Sheet from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website at
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/cdc/factsheets/enterod68.pdf for more information.
For all children, take advantage of self-protection to stay healthy by following the steps listed above and get the flu
vaccine. Encourage children to get plenty of rest, eat well, and drink fluid like water. We will continue to monitor
this virus and look forward to continuing to work together to protect the health of our students and the Watertown
community.
Sincerely,
Kristel Bennett
Chief Environmental Health Officer
Donna Ruseckas
Director of Wellness and Extended Services