14 kids in California contract enterovirus D68

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fourteen children in California have now contracted the infection known as enterovirus D68. The virus has caused hundreds of respiratory illnesses and is possibly linked to several deaths across the nation.

Thus far there are no local victims. Action News has confirmed that at least one area hospital has sent out samples, but the tests haven't come back yet. The state's health department says it's expecting to see more cases.

Generally, enterovirus infections aren't reportable, but this year severe respiratory illnesses -- connected to EV-D68 -- started popping up and the California Department of Public Health started keeping track.

"We've never seen it to the extent that it's been reported this year; that's what's prompted us in California to ask for specimens from patients so we could identify if the virus was circulating in California as well," said Dr. Gil Chavez, deputy director for the Center for Infectious Diseases.

Chavez says 14 kids -- ranging from less than a year old to 15 years old -- are infected with EV-D68. Of those, 13 have had respiratory illness and one had paralysis.

"They often have symptoms for several months, and sometimes as far as we know they may have some permanent neurologic deficits. We don't have data from several years out but these are quite severe," said Carol Glaser, interim chief of the Immunization Branch.

Health officials also say while the hospitalized cases are highlighted, there are many more patients who have mild infections and do just fine.

And they say California has seen no clusters, and none of the 14 patients are connected to one another. There is only one commonality: Children with asthma or a history of breathing problems.

"Given the magnitude of EV-D68 in other parts of the country, we are pleased that the number of new confirmed cases in the state is not growing as rapidly as it has elsewhere," said Chavez.

As for the Central Valley, the state's health department says it's either not active here or testing hasn't been conducted.

Children's Hospital tells Action News four samples were sent out; one came back negative and results for the others are pending.

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for enterovirus D68, but doctors say it can be prevented with simple good hygiene, hand washing, avoiding sick people and frequent disinfecting.