Dr. Michael Fine answers questions on the Enterovirus
WPRO Newsroom
The Rhode Island Department of Health has confirmed that a child has died as a result of contracting the Enterovirus.
Officials said a 10-year-old girl from Cumberland died last week from a staph sepsis associated with the Enterovirus.
“It’s not clear what role the Enterovirus had, but clearly the death was a sepsis death,” said RI DOH Director Michael Fine.
The DOH says most people who contract the virus will only suffer minimal symptoms and will recover quickly. The common symptoms include a runny nose, a low-grade fever and muscle aches. The CDC reported a Rhode Island man had contracted the Enterovirus last month, but was discharged from the hospital and recovered.
Fine advises the public to practice basic hand sanitation, avoid touching their nose or eyes, and to get a flu shot.
Parents at the school the young girl attended are making sure they take preventative measure to keep their children from getting sick. The school is already taking action in light of the news.
“The school department and the guidance counselor pulled together with the school to help [the kids] through this,” said Rosanna Shen.
Experts say the people most susceptible to the Enterovirus are those with asthma or a history of respiratory infection.
Listen to Andrew Augustus’ report:
