The Connecticut Department of Health announced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 12 cases of enterovirus D68 in the state. The most recent confirmation came from cases at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. The virus causes breathing problems but nationally, there are some cases that have other troubling symptoms, as well.
Connecticut Children's Medical Center said the CDC recently confirmed three cases at the hospital as EnterovirusD68. One other case was reported earlier this month at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital.
The virus has swept the country, affecting children in forty states and the District of Columbia. Dr Nicholas Bennett, is director of infectious diseases and immunology at CCMC. He said, "The question is what do you do to prevent infection? There's good hand washing and if your child is sick, keep him away from other kids so they don't spread things. Making sure your child is not struggling to breathe and if you have asthma medications, treat wheezing and start them as soon as you can to preempt any ED visits or hospital stays."
Bennett said the children treated for the virus at CCMC have recovered fully and are back home.
Health care professionals are monitoring new information related to the virus. Over the weekend, the CDC issued an alert about a half dozen enterovirus cases in Colorado where the children experienced paralysis of their limbs.
"There were cases reported out of California many months ago of similar symptoms related to enteroviral infections," Bennett said. "We know, of course, the enterovirus family does include polio, which causes paralysis. What's not clear is whether these symptoms of paralysis are as bad as poliomyelitis which is very severe."
Bennett stressed the potential for this virus to cause paralysis is low compared to the large number of enterovirus cases causing respiratory problems. He said it's still something his staff and others will be watching.
