Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, September 12, 2014
(UNDATED) - IU Health will be restricting visitors at several hospitals due to the strain of enterovirus which is believed to be responsible for children being sent to the hospital with respiratory issues.
Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is believe to be responsible for many children being admitted to hospitals in several states with moderate to severe respiratory infections.
The Indiana State Department of Health said Monday that hospitals statewide are reporting an increase in the number of patients, especially children, with respiratory illnesses. However, it is not yet known if the increase is related to EV-D68.
As a precaution, Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health in Indianapolis will not allow visitors younger than 18, except parents, or visitors who are ill to visit the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Other IU Health facilities planning to limit NICU visitors include IU Health Methodist, North, West, Bloomington and Arnett hospitals.
IU Health is also "encouraging families in other areas of the hospital to limit visitors to only those essential to the care and well-being of patients. Guests, volunteers and employees are also asked to please stay home if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms."
The new restrictions at Riley Hospital will begin September 15.
The Department of Health says enteroviruses, including EV-D68, are spread through close contact with infected people. To protect themselves from becoming infected, people are being encouraged to wash hands with warm soap and water, cover your cough with a sleeve or tissue and stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness. People experiencing cold-like symptoms and trouble breathing should contact their healthcare provider right away.
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