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Health officials monitor respiratory virus in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Public health officials on Monday said they're monitoring a high number of reports of a respiratory virus in several Midwest states including Iowa.Enterovirus EV-D68 begins like a cold with symptoms such as coughing and wheezing, according to the state Department of Public Health. It appears to spread though close contact with infected people.

"This is a really common virus," said Dr. Ann Garvey, a deputy state epidemiologist. "We see this virus circulate every year about this time. What's a little different this year and is causing more attention is that we're seeing it circulate in higher levels than we usually see."

Additional information about the virus in Iowa is not available. Federal and state officials do not track the number of cases of the virus. It's also been reported in Illinois, Ohio and Kansas, according to Iowa health officials.

The disease is a type of enterovirus, which is a common virus with more than 100 types. About 10 to 15 million enterovirus infections occur in the U.S. each year, according to state officials. Most people recover at home without complications.

Officials warned Enterovirus EV-D68 may cause some people with severe respiratory illness to be hospitalized for further treatment. Infants, children and teenagers, especially those with a history of asthma or other conditions that compromise the immune system, are more likely to become sick.

Infected people should drink fluids, rest and stay home to prevent spreading the disease. Individuals experiencing difficulty with breathing should contact their health care provider.

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