Possible regional virus outbreak now in Colorado Springs

A cold-like virus that produces symptoms similar to asthma and has sickened thousands of people in Denver and elsewhere in the U.S. has now been reported in Colorado Springs.

Dr. David Steinbruner, an emergency room physician at Memorial Hospital, said that based on the symptoms, the virus likely has been in the area for a month.

“You can’t screen for it,” he said. “All you can do is treat the symptoms, and we’ve definitely been seeing more of them.”

Steinbruner said the virus, known as human enterovirus 68, settles in the lungs and creates a condition known as reactive airway disease. The condition makes breathing difficult.

“It’s not a new virus,” he said. “It’s just particularly nasty this season. Children, teens and adults with breathing issues like asthma are susceptible to it.”

Steinbruner said doctors treat the condition with steroids and Albuterol, a drug that helps improve breathing.

“We probably haven’t seen the worst of it yet,” he said.

Steinbruner said the best prevention against the virus is to follow normal cold protocols: Wash hands, avoid contact with someone who’s sick, and stay home if you’re sick.

Memorial Hospital is believed to be the first in southern Colorado to confirm the virus. The hospital was unable Saturday to provide the number of confirmed cases.