CDC Issues Alert Over Rising Cases of Parvovirus B19, or ‘Slapped Cheek Disease’

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CDC Issues Alert Over Rising Cases of Parvovirus B19, or ‘Slapped Cheek Disease’
Rising Cases of ‘Slapped Cheek Disease’ Or Parvovirus B19 | Healthcare 360 Magazine
(Source-economictimes.indiatimes.com)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert regarding a surge in cases of parvovirus B19, commonly known as “slapped cheek disease,” affecting all age groups across the United States. The alert, issued on August 13, 2024, follows reports of unusually high case numbers in 14 European countries during the first quarter of 2024.

Understanding Parvovirus B19
Parvovirus B19 is a highly contagious virus primarily spread through respiratory droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. Children frequently contract the virus at school, where close contact facilitates its spread, and then transmit it to adults at home. According to the CDC, approximately 50% of individuals who were not previously infected acquire the virus from infected family members. School outbreaks can see infection rates as high as 20% to 50% among susceptible students and staff.

Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, emphasized the virus’s ease of transmission. “The virus is highly contagious and can spread asymptomatically,” Siegel explained.

Parvovirus B19 is also referred to as “fifth disease(slapped cheek disease),” a term stemming from its position on a historical list of common childhood viral illnesses causing rashes, which includes measles, rubella, and scarlet fever.

Symptoms and Diagnosis
Infected individuals may not always exhibit symptoms. However, those who do may experience flu-like symptoms about a week after exposure, including fever, muscle pain, and fatigue. These symptoms usually last less than a week and are most contagious during this early phase.

Children often develop the characteristic “slapped cheek disease” rash several days after the onset of fever. This rash is a key diagnostic feature for healthcare providers. Following this, a fine, “lacy” rash may appear on the chest, back, buttocks, or limbs, sometimes accompanied by itching. The rash typically resolves within a week to ten days.

Adults are less likely to develop the “slapped cheek disease” rash. Their symptoms often include a generalized rash and joint pain affecting the hands, feet, and knees. Joint pain may last from one to three weeks but can persist for months without leading to long-term complications.

Immunity and Risk Factors
Once infected with parvovirus B19, individuals generally acquire lifetime immunity. Dr. Siegel noted that most adults are immune to the virus, with about 50% showing detectable antibodies by age 20 and over 70% by age 40. Despite a drop in recent infections between 2022 and 2024, there has been a notable increase in cases, particularly among children aged 5 to 9, where infection rates rose from 15% to 40% this year.

Those working closely with children, such as in schools and daycares, are at higher risk of exposure.

High-Risk Populations and Complications
While most healthy adults and children experience mild illness, parvovirus B19 can cause severe complications in individuals with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and those with chronic blood disorders. Pregnant women exposed to the virus face an increased risk of miscarriage and severe anemia in the fetus, particularly between 9 and 20 weeks of gestation.

Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, highlighted the risks for pregnant women, noting, “Unfortunately, there is an increased risk of miscarriage if you get parvovirus during pregnancy.”

Treatment and Prevention
Currently, there is no specific vaccine for parvovirus B19. Treatment primarily involves supportive care to manage symptoms and monitor for severe complications, such as fetal anemia in pregnant women. For individuals with compromised immune systems or chronic blood disorders, treatment may include blood cell transfusions and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) to bolster the immune response.

Hand-washing remains an effective preventive measure to reduce transmission. “While there is no specific treatment for parvovirus infection, recognizing and addressing complications early can be beneficial,” Dr. Glatt advised.

The CDC continues to monitor the situation and provides updates to help manage and prevent the spread of this increasingly prevalent lapped cheek disease.

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