Name:___________________________________________________ Date: __________________ Class Period: _______
Article of the Week
Directions: Read the article carefully and make notes in the margin. Your margin notes are part of your
score for this assessment. Next, answer the questions carefully in complete sentences unless otherwise
instructed.
Notes should include:
o Comments that show that you understand the article. (A summary or statement of the main idea
of important sections may serve this purpose.)
o Questions you have that show what you are wondering about as you read.
o Notes that differentiate between fact and opinion.
o Observations about how the writer’s strategies (organization, word choice, perspective,
support) and choices affect the article.
What You Need to Know About the Enterovirus Outbreak
By Katie Moisse, Sept. 8, 2014
ABC NEWS http://abcnews.go.com/Health/enterovirus-outbreak/story?id=25345098
The rare virus suspected of sickening 1,000 kids in 11 states can start out like
the common cold but quickly evolve into something much more serious, health officials
say. The virus, known as enterovirus 68, is similar to the rhinovirus that causes the
common cold, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But
unlike a cold, the infection can lead to severe respiratory symptoms like wheezing. "It’s
the wheezing you have to watch out for," said ABC News’ chief health and medical
editor, Dr. Richard Besser, referring to the whistling sound generated when air moves
through narrowed breathing tubes.
Doctors at Children's Hospital Colorado in Denver have seen more than 900 pediatric
patients with symptoms of the virus in the emergency room since mid-August,
according to officials. The hospital admitted 86 kids with severe symptoms and a
handful ended up in intensive care. Beyond Colorado, suspected cases have also been
reported in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, Atlanta, Utah
and Georgia, according to the CDC. North Carolina has been removed from the list of
affected states, the agency said today, but the list is expected to grow. "If your state
doesn't have it now, watch for it, it's coming," said Besser.
Here are five things you should know about the outbreak.
THIS ISN’T THE FIRST ENTEROVIRUS 68 OUTBREAK IN THE U.S.
Georgia and Pennsylvania reported clusters of enterovirus 68 almost exactly five years
ago in September 2009, according to a 2011 CDC report. Arizona had a small cluster of
cases in August and September 2010, according to the same report.
NO ONE KNOW HOW IT STARTED
While this isn’t the first time enterovirus 68 has popped up in the U.S., health officials
are still trying to figure out why the virus has reemerged. "This is a very common time
for outbreaks. Kids come back to school, they like to share things, they bring them home
to their little brothers and sisters," said Besser, adding that most enterovirus outbreaks
occur in the summer. "But this one, this particular enterovirus is very rare, and they have
no idea why it showed up this year."
Moisse, K. What you need to know about the enterovirus outbreak. ABC News. Sept. 8, 2014.
Notes on my thoughts,
reactions and questions as I
read:
NO ONE KNOW HOW IT SPREADS
Studies on enterovirus 68 are limited, and so is knowledge about how the virus spreads.
Most enteroviruses spread through contact with respiratory secretions like saliva and
mucous as well as feces, according to the CDC. The Department of Health and Senior
Services in Missouri, where at least 300 suspected cases have been reported,
recommends washing hands thoroughly and often, avoiding close contact with people
who are sick, disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces and staying home when feeling
sick.
THERE’S NO SPECIFIC TREATMENT
There are no anti-viral medications for enterovirus 68, and no vaccines to prevent the
infection, according to the Missouri Department of Health a Senior Services.
Instead, health care providers are tasked with treating the symptoms of the infection – a
job that may require hospitalization. "The important thing is to recognize the signs of
respiratory distress," said Besser, describing how difficulty talking, audible wheezing
and bluish lip color can signal distress. "There are treatments to improve respiration."
SOME PEOPLE MAY BE MORE VULNERABLE THAN OTHERS
Young children and people with asthma may be particularly vulnerable to enterovirus 68,
health officials say. Dr. Raju Meyappan, a pediatric critical care physician at Rocky
Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver, said he's seen multiple asthmatic children end
up on breathing tubes in the intensive care unit after contracting the virus. "As a pediatric
ICU doctor, we try our best not to intubate kids with asthma at any point in time,"
Meyappan said. "They all needed it. The onset [of the virus] is severe." Children also
appear to be more susceptible than adults, according to a CDC report released today
about cases in Missouri and Illinois. The ages of those infected ranged from 6 weeks to
16 years, with most of the illnesses occurring in children aged 4 and 5.
ABC News' Dr. Richard Besser contributed to this story.
Comprehension questions – answers may be in phrases.
1. What is a “pediatric patient”?
2. What are the three symptoms of respiratory distress?
3. Define rhinovirus as used in the article.
4. Who wrote the article? What other individual contributed to the article?
5. Define wheezing as used in the text.
Moisse, K. What you need to know about the enterovirus outbreak. ABC News. Sept. 8, 2014.
Notes on my thoughts,
reactions and questions as I
read:
Answer each question in one or more complete sentences.
5. Consider this sentence: “Here are five things you should know about the outbreak.” Circle the helping
verb. Rewrite this sentence in a stronger manner with an active verb.
6. List three possible reasons for outbreaks of illness in September, according to the text.
7. List four actions that should be followed to avoid illness, according to the text.
8-11. Each of the five headings is a fact about the virus. Re-write each heading in the format of a question.
Answer each question. The first heading has been completed for you.
1. Q: Is this the first enterovirus outbreak to occur in the U.S.?
A: No, this is not the first outbreak of enterovirus. The original outbreak occurred in 2009.
2. Q:
A:
3.Q:
A:
4.Q:
A:
5.Q:
A:
12. Write a citation for this article.
Moisse, K. What you need to know about the enterovirus outbreak. ABC News. Sept. 8, 2014.
Moisse, K. What you need to know about the enterovirus outbreak. ABC News. Sept. 8, 2014.