UPDATE: Family of Eli Waller releases statement on the boy's death. UPDATED story here
Officials announced Saturday that enterovirus D68 is the cause of death for a 4-year-old New Jersey boy, who died Sept. 25, and disclosed that another child from the same school is exhibiting similar symptoms.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told New Jersey health officials Friday that a Mercer County boy -- the youngest of triplets -- tested positive for enterovirus 68, but they were unsure what role the virus played in his death at that time.
But late Friday evening, the family, who asked for privacy, learned the virus took the life of 4-year-old Eli Waller.
"It was because of enterovirus D68," said Kelly Yaede, mayor of Hamilton Township, New Jersey, while speaking on behalf of the boy's family. "Please extend to the township our sincere appreciation ...for support our children and schools."
"They will have to deal with the cavernous void of losing Eli for the rest of their lives," she said. "We are 90,000 residents and we will stand behind them til they don't need us anymore."
Officials are unsure how the deceased child became infected with enterovirus D78, but they said young children are most likely to catch the virus, which has sickened at least 500 people in 42 states and Washington, D.C.
"Older children and adults have natural immunity acquired over time to defend it," said James Parla, superintendent of the Hamilton Township School District, while relaying information from the CDC.
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Eli was last at school Sept. 19, Parla said. Since then, the district has added extra staff to his school so additional cleaning services could be implemented, but another boy has shown similar symptoms, he said.
"There is another case that the CDC is testing in Hamilton for a child that was in the same school, in the same grade and different class as the child that died," Yaede said. "That child has not been in school for the last two weeks."
That boy was admitted to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick, where he received treatment before returning home to continue his recovery, he added.
Health officials conducted tests for the virus Thursday and his family is still waiting on results, he said.
The New Jersey department said the CDC also reported another confirmed case of the virus in a Middlesex County child, bringing the total count in the state to nine people who have been infected with enterovirus 68. Those cases are in Camden, Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Essex, Passaic and Sussex.
The enterovirus germ is not new; most people who catch the virus experience only a runny nose and low-grade fever. It was first identified in 1962 and has caused clusters of illness before.
This year, the virus has gotten more attention because it has been linked to hundreds of severe illnesses. Beginning last month, hospitals in Kansas City, Missouri, and Chicago have received a flood of children with trouble breathing.
To avoid getting the virus, health officials recommend:
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups, plates and utensils with people who are sick.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
