Outbreak of Severe Virus Now in 22 States

At least 160 cases of a sometimes severe virus have been confirmed in 22 states, U.S. health officials say. The cause of the confirmed cases is enterovirus D68. It is part of a family of germs that cause the common cold. Most cases in this new outbreak are mild, with cold symptoms. But other people, especially children, have developed breathing problems. Many children have ended up in hospitals. The illness has been most severe for children with asthma. No one has died. Enterovirus D68 is spread by close contact with an infected person, or touching the same surfaces and then the nose or mouth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the latest numbers on September 19. The number of states and cases has expanded rapidly since the CDC first reported an outbreak at one Midwest hospital on September 8.