The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is warning residents of an enterovirus outbreak among children in the state, according to The Gazette.
Here are four things to know:
1. Most cases involved in the outbreak are linked to an uncommon enterovirus strain called A71, which on rare occasions can cause neurological complications like meningitis, encephalitis and acute flaccid myelitis. More common enterovirus strains typically cause rashes, cold-like symptoms and hand, foot and mouth disease.
2. The Colorado Health Department has seen 41 A71-strand enterovirus cases in 2018, all of which resulted in neurological complications. Fourteen additional cases of AFL were also reported. Of those cases, 11 tested positive for enterovirus A71. One case tested positive for a different uncommon enterovirus strain called D68.
3. Health officials said almost all of the infected children have recovered, according to The Gazette.
4. The Colorado Health Department released the following statement Oct. 9:
"The state health department has been monitoring this situation closely since early spring. In addition to investigating the outbreak, the state health department has issued alerts to healthcare providers on how to test for the viruses and enhanced guidance to child care centers on infection prevention," the department said.