Enterovirus now in NYC

From PIX11:

Enterovirus EV-D68 has been confirmed in more than one dozen New York children — with one case in New York City — the Department of Health announced Wednesday.

The children are located in the Capitol Region, Central New York and New York City. Other regions in the state also submitted specimens for testing, which can take up to a week to confirm.

EV-D68 is causes severe respiratory illness, which sometimes results in hospitalization, especially among children with asthma. Currently there is no vaccine or treatment for the virus.

A New Jersey child was also diagnosed Wednesday with enterovirus EV-D68.

Enterovirus may be headed here soon

From Metro:

The New York State Department of Health is calling upon parents to be aware of the symptoms of enterovirus EV-D68. More than 12 children across the state, near Albany and in Central New York, have been confirmed as having the serious respiratory illness.

The enterovirus is spread through close contact with infected persons, and the health department recommends frequent hand washing, avoiding contact with eyes, nose and mouth, avoiding kissing, hugging or sharing utensils with sick people and disinfecting surfaces. Prevention is especially important for infants and people with compromised immune systems or chronic conditions, the health department said.

Symptoms reported include fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing,and bodyaches, according to the health department.