HAMILTON: Local boy who died tested positive for EV-D68

By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Packet Media Group
HAMILTON — The 4-year-old township boy who died on Sept. 25 after contracting a respiratory illness tested positive for Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) and another preschooler is being tested, according to the township’s health officer.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported late Friday that the specimens sent to them from Eli Waller on Sept. 29 tested positive for EV-D68. The results will be forwarded to the Mercer County Medical Examiner for appropriate additional testing as deemed necessary by the medical examiner, according to Hamilton Township officials.
From mid-August to Oct. 3, the CDC confirmed a total of 538 people in 43 states and the District of Columbia with respiratory illness caused by EV-D68.
EV-D68 has been detected in specimens from four patients who died and had samples submitted for testing. The role EV-D68 played in these deaths is unclear at this time; state and local health departments are continuing to investigate, according to the CDC.
"Our thoughts remain with the family at this very difficult time," said Health Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd of Princeton. "While the child has tested positive for EV-D68, the cause of death has not yet been determined and it is unclear if EV-D68 played a direct role or was a contributing factor in his death."
The Yardville Elementary School student’s death is the first New Jersey child death involving EV-D68. Another Yardville Elementary School preschooler is being tested for EV-D68 and as of Monday no results were available, according to the township’s health officer, Jeff Plunkett.
The state currently has nine confirmed cases of EV-D68 in the following counties: Camden, Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris Essex, Passaic and Sussex. Generally infants, children and teenagers are most likely to get infected with enteroviruses due to their lack of immunity (protection) from previous exposure to these viruses. Although adults can get infected with enterovirus, they are more likely to have milder symptoms, according to the CDC.
There are no vaccines or antiviral medications for preventing EV-D68 infections. It is important that the general public continues to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses by frequent hand washing with soap and water, avoiding close contact with sick people, coughing into their elbows or a tissue, proper disposal of tissues and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. Anyone who is sick should contact their health care provider and remain home from school or work. It is important that anyone who has increased respiratory difficulty or symptoms that appear to be worsening contact their healthcare provider, according to the CDC.
Eli was the youngest of a set of triplets, born much smaller and lighter than his sisters, according to his father, Andy.
"Eli nevertheless persevered through all the difficulties that came his way," his father said. "He was not the type to give up, and even though things never really came easily to him, he would just plug away, day after day, practicing sounds, or movements, or skills, until he would eventually get them. He did this entirely in an effort to make his mom and dad proud, and we can unequivocally say that we were, and will continue to be, so very proud of our little Eli."In describing his son, Mr. Waller said, "My words probably won’t capture him well, but everyone who met Eli knows how he made people feel; imagine a shy little puppy who wants only to make people proud and happy, maybe tripping a bit over his own paws, but truly full of unconditional love. He was a beautiful mix of eagerness and hesitancy, need and striving, caution and surprise, all of which were grounded in a pure, unconditional love."
Eli cared deeply for his sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and his mom and dad. He enjoyed soccer with his best friend, and he made incredible progress through his dance classes and in school, thanks to his friends and teachers there.
"My wife and I simply cannot thank you all nearly enough for the roles you played in Eli’s life," Mr. Waller said. "And while our hearts break at his passing, our hearts also overflow with overwhelming gratitude. We want everyone to know how grateful we are for such an outpouring of love and support, not only during Eli’s life, but also after his passing. This is an incredible community in which we live, and we don’t know what to say to you all other than thank you, from the bottoms of our hearts."
In light of this gratitude, and in honor of the loving life Eli lived, his family and friends are in the process of establishing The First Day of School Foundation, which will provide support for students involved in special education.
"With the help of organizations such as the Yardville Elementary PTA, Erica Haller Photography, and Dance It Up Studios, we are already beginning to organize fundraising events," his father said.
He continued, "Like so many kids his age, Eli was both nervous and excited about starting school, and it is our sincere hope that this foundation can work to help kids in a way that will make Eli proud of us all, in the same way that we were all so proud of him. My wife and I again want to thank everyone for their tremendous love and support during these difficult days, and we hope that you all will continue to support our efforts to honor the memory of our perfect, beautiful son, Eli Thomas Waller. We love you, little buggy."
For more information about the foundation and specific events, contact [email protected].
For more information about EV-D68, visit www.nj.gov/health.
HAMILTON – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is conducting tests to see if a 4-year-old township boy’s death was caused by Enterovirus D-68, according to the township’s health officer.
   Eli Waller, a student at Yardville Elementary School, died Sept. 25 at home of a respiratory illness. The New Jersey Department of Health has ruled out influenza as the cause of death, according to Hamilton Health Officer Jeffrey Plunkett.
   ”Testing will take approximately three days from its start,” Mr. Plunkett said.
   The New Jersey Department of Health confirmed EV-D68 was present in the state Sept. 17. The department was notified by the CDC on Sept. 30 of two additional cases and was notified on Oct. 1 of four additional cases of EV-D68 in New Jersey children, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to seven.
   The four latest cases are pediatric patients from Burlington, which has two cases, Camden and Morris counties. Three confirmed cases were previously announced in Essex, Passaic and Sussex. All seven children have been released from the hospital and are recovering. The children range in age from 1-9 years old. For reasons of medical privacy, the department will not be providing additional information about the children, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.
   ”The (New Jersey Health) Department has received several tests back from the CDC that were negative for EV-D68, and we have additional test results pending, including one from a Mercer County preschooler who died last Thursday,” state Health Commissioner Mary O’Dowd of Princeton said.
   The department is working with health-care providers and local health departments to closely monitor for increases in respiratory illnesses in hospitals across the state. There is an existing surveillance system in place to monitor flu-like activity, and the department will use that process to monitor for EV-D68.
   ”Enterovirus D68 is treated the same as other respiratory illnesses that are seen in children this time of year,” Ms. O’Dowd said.
   There is no vaccine or specific antiviral medication for enterovirus infections.
   ”Parents and caregivers should be aware that children with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, may experience severe complications and require hospitalization with supportive therapy,” Ms. O’Dowd said.
   According to the CDC, the United States is in the middle of the EV-D68 season, which lasts from summer to the end of fall. From mid-August to Sept. 29, the CDC has confirmed a total of 443 people in 40 states and the District of Columbia with respiratory illness caused by EV-D68.
   EV-D68 is one of the less common enteroviruses of more than 100 non-polio enteroviruses. The virus was first identified in California in 1962, 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, according to the CDC.
   Since EV-D68 causes respiratory illness, the virus can be found in an infected person’s respiratory secretions, such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum. EV-D68 likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches contaminated surfaces, according to the CDC.
   In general, infants, children and teenagers most likely are to get infected and become ill because they do not yet have the immunity from previous exposures to these viruses, according to the CDC.
   Children with asthma may have a higher risk for sever respiratory illness caused by EV-D68.
   People can protect themselves by washing hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers; avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick; and frequently disinfecting touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick, according to the CDC.
   For more information about EV-D68, visit www.nj.gov/health.