Letter to Thomas Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Sending More Virus Testing Supplies & Other Resources to NY Hospitals and Schools

Letter

Dear Dr. Frieden:

I write today to respectfully request the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assist New York in its recent surge of cases of enterovirus D68. More resources are needed to accurately report and track this emerging virus as well as to appropriately notify the public about its symptoms and prevention methods.

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is one of many non-polio enteroviruses whose symptoms may include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body and muscle aches. While enteroviruses are common, EV-D68 has begun to cause severe respiratory illness, mostly in children, causing them to be hospitalized. According to CDC, from mid-August to September 18, 2014, a total of 153 people in 18 states were confirmed to have respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. There could also be a number of unreported cases in New York and elsewhere.

I request that you devote resources to helping local communities, including parents and schools, recognize symptoms of EV-D68 and make any appropriate recommendations to assist these communities in New York in addressing this serious health issue. Guidance and outreach materials targeted to schools, school districts and parents should be made available.

Due to the rising number of hospitalizations of children with respiratory symptoms, there is a great need for testing and confirming suspected cases of EV-D68. The New York public health laboratory system is one of the only laboratories in the country equipped to analyze and confirm these cases. Therefore, CDC should focus and provide additional resources for this time sensitive and increasing volume of work. Useful resources could include additional testing supplies or additional personnel to assist New York State labs.

The actual number of confirmed cases of EV-D68 is unknown due to the lack of reporting requirements for this virus. This makes it imperative that the federal government work with the New York Department of Health and local health care professionals to urge voluntary reporting of this viral strain.

I believe a coordinated effort between the CDC and state and local health departments are the best way to protect the public's health. Thank you for all that you do to protect the health of all Americans, and for your consideration of this important and very timely request. Please let me know if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

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