Two Massachusetts hospitals are testing patients with possible cases of the rare respiratory infection known as Enterovirus D-68.
Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield is currently treating seven children who could possibly have the virus.
"Within the past few days we have seen a notable rise in the numbers of patients coming to our emergency department with respiratory illnesses, approximately anywhere from 35 percent to 65 percent within the past week," Dr. Michael Klatte with Baystate Children’s Hospital said
Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston has three possible cases.
"These patients are showing up with asthma, so we’re screening the asthmatics as they show up in our ICUs, we’ve screened nine and three through the first phase of screening have been positive, we had one positive this morning, we have two extra this afternoon," Dr. Bernard Kinane, Chief of Pediatric Pulmonary at MGH said
While the tests have come back positive for enterovirus, they still have to be tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see if they are the D-68 strain that is causing respiratory problems for children with asthma and other underlying breathing issues.
"The test is slow and that’s the reason why when somebody shows up with asthma we’re isolating them and making sure – assuming it is positive," Dr. Kinane said.
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There have been no deaths attributed to this virus.
So far, the CDC is reporting 153 confirmed cases in 18 states, including Connecticut where a six-year-old girl has recovered from the virus.
Dr. Kinane says the actual number of people affected is likely much higher because for most children Enterovirus D-68 is just a minor cold that wouldn’t even prompt them to see their doctor.
"It’s behaving more like a flu virus, affecting the respiratory system, it’s only a problem for kids with respiratory disorders, as healthy kids are doing fine," said Dr. Kinane.
