After sweeping through the Midwest, particularly Missouri and Illinois, the highly infectious respiratory illness caused by EV-D68 has appeared in 12 states and more spread is expected in the coming weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
EV-D68, a rare strain of enterovirus, has been causing illnesses so severe that numerous children have been hospitalized for breathing problems.
From mid-August to Sept. 16, a total of 130 people in 12 states — Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania — have confirmed illnesses caused by EV-D68.
The CDC expects more states to have confirmed cases of EV-D68 in the upcoming weeks, as several states are still investigating clusters of people with severe respiratory illness for EV-D68, but testing takes "a while" to confirm the bug, the CDC stated. Also, more people will likely become infected with the enterovirus as we are in the middle of enterovirus season.
Find what healthcare providers need to know about EV-D68 here.