A respiratory virus hospitalizing some children across the U.S. and now parts of Canada has spread into Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan’s chief medical officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said 13 cases of Enterovirus D68, a bug that can greatly affect children with asthma or pre-existing respiratory problems, were recently confirmed in the province.
Provincial health officers and specialists were informed Wednesday the cases were found in both north and south parts of the province, indicating the virus is likely widespread.
The bug can infect anyone, but typically targets babies, children and teenagers.
Most cases mimic the effects of the common cold or flu — fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough and muscle aches — but children with asthma or wheezing are at greater risk of developing more acute illness from the infection.
The virus tends to cause symptoms in the lower part of the respiratory system.
Some patients with more serious infections have been hospitalized. Others have experienced wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Enterovirus D68 was first identified in California in 1962.
Shahab said while there has been a slight increase in hospitalizations, overall the virus doesn’t present a significant concern.
There are more than 100 enteroviruses, the second most common cause of the common cold after rhinoviruses.
--- with files from the Canadian Press and CTVNews.ca Staff
