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KINGSFORD -- The Dickinson-Iron District Health Department has issued an update on a cluster of adenovirus cases that have been seen in the central Upper Peninsula since mid-August.
The virus is a common cause of cold-like illness, occasionally with accompanying diarrhea. Typically, health care providers don't test for it, as it is usually self-limited and subsides with proper rest. There is no vaccine to prevent it.
Some strains of adenovirus, however, can also cause more substantial illness, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. These more significant infections occur most frequently in those with immune-compromising conditions and underlying respiratory disease. Long term tobacco use is a risk factor as well.
At the outset of this adenovirus cluster, local lab testing identified cases in Delta, Menominee and Marquette counties. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been doing additional confirmatory testing on hospitalized patients and, to date, none of the confirmed cases reside outside of Delta and Menominee counties. There have been seven cases of adenovirus infection confirmed by the CDC with an additional four cases awaiting confirmation.
"We are sorry to report that there have been two deaths among the confirmed or suspected cases," said Jessica Perry, emergency preparedness coordinator for the health department.
"After nearly three weeks without any new hospitalized cases, two additional suspect cases have been identified. Although the time between when someone is exposed and when they develop symptoms can be up to two weeks, there may still be some adenovirus circulating in Delta and Menominee counties."
Just like flu, it is easy to pass adenovirus infections from person to person through coughing and sneezing. People can also come in contact with the virus by touching surfaces where the virus has landed -- like doorknobs and other hard surfaces and then touching the moist parts of their eyes, nose or mouth.
"Just like in flu season, we remind people that big public spaces are easy places to spread infections," Perry said.
Public health encourages people to use the same prevention strategies recommended throughout the year and especially during cold and flu season: stay home when you are ill, cough into your sleeve, wash your hands frequently and especially before eating and contact your health care provider if you are concerned about your symptoms.
Individuals who have lowered ability to fight infections, have chronic respiratory problems like COPD and asthma and those who smoke, are at higher risk for more severe illness when they get respiratory infections and should aim to reduce their exposure to sick individuals.
People ill with respiratory symptoms should contact their health care provider as they normally would, if they are concerned about the severity of their symptoms. There is no need for testing in mildly ill individuals who do not require hospitalization.
"Local public health and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will continue to monitor the situation," Perry said.