CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has joined the list of more than 20 states where the Enterovirus EV-D68 has been reported.
On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control confirmed four cases of the virus that causes respiratory illnesses in the Mountain State.
In all, the virus, which was first identified in 1962 but is rarely reported, has sickened more than 160 people nationwide since the middle of August.
According to officials with the state Department of Health and Human Resources, 32 total samples from Calhoun, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mercer, Raleigh, Wirt and Wood counties were sent to the CDC for testing.
Out of those specimens, the CDC said there were four confirmed cases of EV-D68–all found in children–from Wood, Wirt and Greenbrier counties.
State health officials said mild symptoms of EV-D68 could include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough and body aches. Those with asthma may have trouble breathing.
They advise frequent hand washing to prevent the virus, covering coughs and sneezes and getting a flu shot this year.
There are no customized treatment protocols for EV-D68.