Enterovirus 68 spreads to Colorado

The CDC has confirmed samples from children in Colorado have tested positive for Enterovirus 68.

The illness causes symptoms similar to the common cold, only those symptoms progress quickly and become much more severe.

Colorado is one of 10 states that asked the CDC to look into it. No deaths have been reported yet, but with thousands of cases being diagnosed in just days, doctors are racing to contain it.

Confirmation tonight from the CDC is putting health officials on higher alert.

“Most of the isolates that we have sent them are the enterovirus, giving them increased wheezing and asthma problems,” said Dr. Christine Nyquist, Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Enterovirus typically causes symptoms similar to a cold, but this year’s strain is so severe, some believe it could turn into an epidemic.

“It’s a phenomenal number of cases that you didn’t even hear about before,” said Dr. John Torres, KRDO medical expert. “If you listen to different hospitals and press conferences. Its hundreds of cases that three days ago you didn’t even hear about.”

Hospitals are scrambling to contain the illness, especially in the Midwest, where 500 kids being treated in Missouri and Ohio.

While there’s only been one case reported so far in Colorado Springs and none in Pueblo, the virus is spreading. Schools have begun drafting letters to parents with tips for their children, who are the highest risk.

“My level of concern is really high for children who have asthma that is not treated properly. Because if they get the viral infection that really sets them up to come to the emergency department, be out of control and end up in the hospital,” Dr. Nyquist said.