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Rare respiratory illness confirmed in 10 states, expands to New York and Alabama Rare respiratory illness confirmed in 10 states, expands to New York and Alabama
(about 5 hours later)
The rare and severe respiratory illness sickening children around the country has expanded to new states, and health officials believe there could also be unconfirmed cases in other places. The rare and severe respiratory illness sickening children around the country has expanded to new states, and health officials believe there could also be unconfirmed cases in other places.
These children — and it has only affected children so far, for reasons we explain here — are suffering from enterovirus 68, an uncommon virus strain that can cause severe breathing problems.These children — and it has only affected children so far, for reasons we explain here — are suffering from enterovirus 68, an uncommon virus strain that can cause severe breathing problems.
Alabama and New York are among the newest states with confirmed cases of the virus. The Alabama Department of Public Health confirmed Monday that four of six specimens from Mobile County positive for the virus. That follows the New York State Department of Health’s confirmation Friday that more than a dozen children in two parts of the state have enterovirus 68.Alabama and New York are among the newest states with confirmed cases of the virus. The Alabama Department of Public Health confirmed Monday that four of six specimens from Mobile County positive for the virus. That follows the New York State Department of Health’s confirmation Friday that more than a dozen children in two parts of the state have enterovirus 68.
As of Monday, there are now 10 states with confirmed cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Monday, there are now 10 states with confirmed cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to Alabama and New York, there are now confirmed cases in Indiana and Louisiana, with those four states joining Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky and Missouri.
Health officials in New York say samples from around the state are being sent to a laboratory in Albany for testing to see if there are cases in other parts of the state. Unlike New York, which has a laboratory that can test for the strain, most other states have sent their samples to the CDC, and they are awaiting responses to see whether they have the strain.Health officials in New York say samples from around the state are being sent to a laboratory in Albany for testing to see if there are cases in other parts of the state. Unlike New York, which has a laboratory that can test for the strain, most other states have sent their samples to the CDC, and they are awaiting responses to see whether they have the strain.
Connecticut has also joined the list of states with possible cases. The state’s Department of Public Health said over the weekend that it has received reports of clusters of children in two different areas who may be suffering from this virus; it is awaiting confirmation from the CDC.Connecticut has also joined the list of states with possible cases. The state’s Department of Public Health said over the weekend that it has received reports of clusters of children in two different areas who may be suffering from this virus; it is awaiting confirmation from the CDC.
The precise number of children with this virus, along with the number of states where it has occurred, is unknown. But one hospital in Kansas City, Mo., is believed to have seen hundreds of cases, which suggests that the national number could be significantly higher.The precise number of children with this virus, along with the number of states where it has occurred, is unknown. But one hospital in Kansas City, Mo., is believed to have seen hundreds of cases, which suggests that the national number could be significantly higher.
There is no vaccine for this virus strain. Enteroviruses are actually very common, causing between 10 million and 15 million infections a year (many people who get them just wind up with a cold or don’t even get sick). But this strain is fairly rare — not appearing very often since it was first isolated in California in 1962 — and it has caused concern for health officials, particularly since it can lead to breathing problems for children.There is no vaccine for this virus strain. Enteroviruses are actually very common, causing between 10 million and 15 million infections a year (many people who get them just wind up with a cold or don’t even get sick). But this strain is fairly rare — not appearing very often since it was first isolated in California in 1962 — and it has caused concern for health officials, particularly since it can lead to breathing problems for children.
Authorities in some states that are awaiting word from the CDC, including Utah and Ohio, have said they expect to be told they have cases of the virus.Authorities in some states that are awaiting word from the CDC, including Utah and Ohio, have said they expect to be told they have cases of the virus.
This post has been updated with the full list of states that have confirmed cases now that the CDC revealed that there are cases in Louisiana and Indiana.