ORLANDO, Fla. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning parents of newborns about a potentially deadly virus.
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It’s called parechovirus and it’s now circulating in Central Florida.
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Health officials issued the alert after receiving multiple reports of cases since May.
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The virus commonly causes fever, rash and cold-like symptoms.
Those most at risk, are babies 3 months or younger.
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“Rarely, and I do mean rarely, in young babies, they can cause severe infections, including invasive disease, things like meningitis, inflammation around the brain, and encephalitis,” said Dr. Kenneth Alexander, chief of infectious diseases at Nemours Children’s Hospital.
Health officials warn there is currently no vaccine for parechoviruses.
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Dr. Alexander said the best way to protect yourself and your baby is to practice good hand hygiene.
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