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Type of enterovirus affecting children, leading to hospitalizations

Four states neighboring Nebraska, including Iowa, have confirmed cases of a serious strain of enterovirus that’s making children sick.

Enterovirus includes many different types of viruses that can cause illness. One particular strain, EV-D68, has led to more hospitalizations due to respiratory symptoms.

Dr. Tricia Schmit, a pediatrician with CHI Health, says children with existing health issues are more likely to become seriously ill from EV-D68.

"The kids who seem to be being affected in the other states with this actual virus are usually more kids that have a tendency toward having respiratory problems already, asthmatic, other kids with chronic lung issues, those are probably the ones I think people should watch most closely."

Dr. Schmit says she’s treated a lot of cases of children with summer colds, but none who have been severely ill. There is no specific treatment for EV-D68. Doctors instead treat the symptoms of a virus.

Nebraska Medical Center has reported little to no activity. Methodist Health System and Childrens Hospital and Medical Center have treated some children with respiratory illness, but they haven’t been tested for the specific strain of enterovirus.