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Rare respiratory virus spreads to Pennsylvania

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today that there is at least one lab-confirmed case of the virus, known as human enterovirus D68 or EV-D68, in Pennsylvania.

A rare virus that causes respiratory illness has been detected in Pennsylvania.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today that there is at least one lab-confirmed case of the virus, known as human enterovirus D68 or EV-D68, in Pennsylvania.

The CDC didn't immediately say how many cases occurred in the state or where they were reported.

As of today, there have been 130 confirmed cases in 12 states across the country since a surge of reports of the illness began in mid-August.

No cases have been confirmed in New Jersey.

Last week, Delaware officials said 12 children were hospitalized with an unknown virus, and tests were being done to determine if EV-D68 was behind their illnesses.

The virus has been especially prevalent in the Midwest, where hospitals say they have treated hundreds of sick children suspected of suffering from the EV-D68.

The virus causes mild to severe respiratory illness. Infants, children and teenagers, particularly those with asthma, appear to be most at risk.

Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, body aches, difficulty breathing and wheezing.

Officials say it likely spreads from person to person when someone infected with the virus coughs or sneezes, or when someone touches a contaminated surface.

The CDC says people are most likely to get infected with enteroviruses in the summer and fall, and cases are expected to decline later in the autumn.