The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed three of six samples sent by Connecticut Children”™s Medical Center in Hartford for testing were positive for enterovirus D68.
“The samples were representative of our pediatric population and confirm what our infectious diseases physicians have suspected all along,” the hospital, which runs pediatric health centers in Fairfield, Stamford, Shelton and Danbury, said in a statement. Hometowns of the victims were not released.
“We already knew there was a strong possibility it was here,” said Dr. Nicholas Bennett, medical director of infectious diseases and immunology at Connecticut Children”™s. “We sent in samples to help the CDC track the virus and its spread across the nation.”
The Hartford facility is the first hospital regionally to have confirmed enterovirus D68 cases.
“Because enterovirus is a virus there is no treatment, except for treatments for the wheezing, the same as you would for any other asthma attack,” Bennett said. “It seems to be easily treated and kids are generally getting better quickly, in a few days.”
In response to news that the CDC is investigating links between enterovirus D68 and paralysis, Bennett said there have been no cases of paralysis at Connecticut Children”™s.
Symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, rash, mouth blisters, body aches and fever.
“Only a small percentage of patients will require hospitalization for their symptoms, especially if these patients suffer from severe respiratory issues, like asthma,” the hospital said in a statement.
