Our thanks to our Education Chairperson, Dr. Denise Makri-Werzen for sharing the CDC Health advisory on Human Parvovirus B19 in quoted text below:

"Public Health Advisory

NJLINCS Health Alert Network

Distributed by the New Jersey Department of Health

 

Subject: Public Health Advisory : Increase in Human Parvovirus B19 Activity in the United States
Date: 08/15/2024 09:26:09
Official Message No.: 112167-8-15-2024-PHAD
Contact Info: Nagla Bayoumi | 609-826-5964 | Nagla.Bayoumi@doh.nj.gov
Kim Cervantes | Kim.Cervantes@doh.nj.gov
Attachments: Yes

The CDC issued a Health Advisory through the CDC Health Alert Network to provide information to clinicians and health departments about increases in human parvovirus B19 (Erythema infectiosum, or fifth disease) across the United States. The following are important reminders:

• Healthcare providers should be aware of increasing parvovirus B19 activity and identify people at higher risk of severe parvovirus B19 outcomes.

• Individuals should be recommended to seek medical care if they:

o   are pregnant and have been exposed to a person with suspected or confirmed parvovirus B19 or you have signs and symptoms of parvovirus B19.

o   have a weakened immune system or a chronic hemolytic blood disorder including sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and hereditary spherocytosis, and you have signs and symptoms of parvovirus B19.

• Childcare and school providers should be made aware of parvovirus B19  including who may be at higher risk of severe parvovirus B19 illness.

• Guidance for when children and staff can return to school following an infection can be found in the  General Guidelines for the Control of Outbreaks in School and Childcare Settings School Exclusion List under Fifth Disease.  Additional resources can be found on the New Jersey Department of Health Fifth Disease webpage.

• As a reminder, individual cases of parvovirus B19 are not reportable. Suspect and/or confirmed outbreaks of parvovirus B19 are immediately reportable to the local health department. If an outbreak is identified in a school or childcare setting, the facility can refer to Respiratory Virus Guidance for K-12 Schools, Youth Camps, and Early Care and Education Programs.

• Please see the attached CDC Health Advisory for additional important information.