The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a health advisory as the parvovirus B19 respiratory disease is spreading across the United States.
In an August 13 press release, the CDC said it was issuing a Health Alert Network Health Advisory to “notify healthcare providers, public health authorities, and the public about current increases in human parvovirus B19 activity in the United States.”
CDC officials added, “Recently, CDC has received reports indicating increased parvovirus B19 activity in the United States. Data include increased test positivity for parvovirus B19 in clinical specimens and pooled plasma from a large commercial laboratory, and reports of clusters of parvovirus B19-associated complications among pregnant people and people with sickle cell disease.”
According to Fox News, the CDC’s advisory comes after European health officials reported “unusually” high numbers of parvovirus B19 cases across 14 countries in the first quarter of the year.
The CDC explained that parvovirus B19, also known as fifth disease, can cause a facial rash resembling a “slapped cheek” appearance. The distinct rash has led to the disease being nicknamed “slapped cheek disease.” Dr. Marc Ciegel, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, told Fox News, “The virus is highly contagious and can spread asymptomatically.”
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The CDC warned in its recent press release that parvovirus B19 is “highly transmissible in respiratory droplets” and can be quickly spread when an infected individual sneezes or coughs.
According to the CDC, roughly half of individuals susceptible to the virus contract parvovirus B19 from infected family members. The CDC also noted that 20% to 50% of susceptible students and staff contract the virus due to outbreaks at schools.
While Dr. Aaron Glatt, Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital’s chief of infectious diseases, told Fox News that parvovirus can just be a “very mild infection” for many people, he warned, “If you are pregnant or are immunocompromised in any way, you are at a much greater risk of serious illness.”
According to the CDC, roughly a week after being exposed to the parvovirus B19 virus, children can experience muscle pain and fatigue, as well as a fever. The “slapped cheek” rash typically comes multiple days after the fever starts.
A picture shared on social media shows the signature “slapped cheek” rash.
The CDC explained that a “lacy” rash can also develop on an infected child’s arms, legs, chest, back, or buttocks; however, the rash typically dissipates within 10 days.
The CDC explained that infected adults are not as likely to develop the facial rash. Instead, many adults experience a more generalized body rash and joint pain that can last for weeks or even months.
