An outbreak of respiratory illness has spread to 38 states, sending children to hospitals while scientists struggle to understand its virulent resurgence.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday that 226 cases of infection with enterovirus 68 have been confirmed,
The New York Times reports.
Only one adult has been infected and no deaths have been linked to the infection.
“What the C.D.C. is reporting is clearly the tip of the iceberg,” said Mary Anne Jackson, M.D., the division director of infectious diseases at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. The hospital was the first to see an unusual increase in children with trouble breathing. Since then, Dr. Jackson has received calls from colleagues nationwide seeking guidance.
Enteroviruses are common, but the outbreak strain is not. Symptoms in the current outbreak resemble those of a bad cold, including body aches and cough. But some children progress to wheezing and having breathing difficulties. Scientists say they do not know why it is happening.
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