Delaware testing 12 hospitalized children for rare virus

A respiratory illness caused by a rare virus that has been affecting an increasing number of children in recent weeks may have spread to Delaware.

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services says 12 children have been hospitalized with a respiratory illness caused by a yet-to-be-determined virus.

Testing is being done to determine if the children became ill from the same virus, human enterovirus D68, that has sickened children across the country, particularly in the Midwest.

The department said test results are expected within seven to 10 days and will show whether the children have that virus, known as EV-D68.

Officials said 10 of the hospitalized children are in New Castle County, one is in Kent County and one is in Sussex County.

They range in age from younger than one to 14. Five of the children are in intensive care, authorities said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there have been 82 confirmed cases of EV-D68 as of Thursday, though hospitals have reported treating hundreds of sick children who may have the virus.

The virus causes mild to severe respiratory illness; symptoms include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough and body aches. More severe symptoms can include difficulty breathing and wheezing.

It likely spreads from person to person when someone infected coughs, sneezes or touches contaminated surfaces, according to the CDC.

Children with asthma appear to be most at risk, officials said.

"While the test results will be helpful, it is most important to stop the spread of this illness, whether or not it is EV-D68," Dr. Karyl Rattay, Delaware's Division of Public Health director, said in a statement. "Sanitary precautions like regular hand washing, staying home when ill, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces are important."