HOBOKEN — A student at the Brandt elementary school in Hoboken has been diagnosed by a doctor as having a strain of the enterovirus, city spokesman Juan Melli confirmed on Friday evening.
However, Melli emphasized that there were over 100 known strains of enterovirus, only one of which has been associated with deaths of schoolchildren in New Jersey and elsewhere. He could not say whether the child does or does not have the dangerous D68 strain.
A letter sent home to parents on Friday said the school had been informed of the situation Friday morning, and the student had not been in school since Oct. 20.
The letter said, “Please keep in mind enteroviruses are one of many common viruses that people come in contact with every day. The student is being cared of at home, has not required hospitalization or lab testing for enterovirus D68, and has not been in school since Monday…our school staff has already been in contact with Hudson County public health officials for recommendations to appropriately disinfect surfaces within our school.”
The affected third-floor classroom will also be cleaned Saturday.
The Brandt School educates children in PreK-3 through kindergarten.
The virus has raised concerns because of young children who have died from one strain. Kids with asthma and other respiratory conditions are more susceptible.
According to the CDC, EV-D68 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness.
•Mild symptoms may include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body and muscle aches.
•Severe symptoms may include wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Anyone with respiratory illness should contact their doctor if they are having difficulty breathing or if their symptoms are getting worse.
The best prevention is to make sure children are washing their hands, experts have said.
A 4-year-old boy in Hamilton, N.J. who had the Enterovirus 68 died overnight in his sleep earlier this month. He had no symptoms, according to reports, except for what appeared to be pinkeye. He was one of a trio of triplets and was survived by two sisters.
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