2 more enterovirus D68 cases reported in New Jersey

New Jersey officials say two more cases of enterovirus D68, a rare respiratory virus that has been sickening primarily children, have been confirmed in the state.

The state Department of Health said the two new cases involve children from Essex and Passaic counties.

Both children were hospitalized but have been discharged and are recovering, officials said.

New Jersey and Pennsylvania both reported their first cases of the virus, known as EV-D68, in mid-September. Authorities are also conducting tests to determine whether a Mercer County preschooler who died last week after suffering a respiratory illness had EV-D68.

The virus, which causes mild to severe respiratory illness, has led to hundreds of children across the country becoming sick, especially in the Midwest. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, body aches, difficulty breathing and wheezing.

Between mid-August and the end of September, instances were reported in 41 states and Washington, D.C., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

EV-D68 and other enteroviruses are most common in the summer and fall, the CDC says.

As of this morning, the CDC was reporting 472 lab-confirmed cases nationwide. All of the cases but one have involved children.

New Jersey officials said all cases there have affected elementary- or preschool-age children.

Infants, children and teenagers, especially those with asthma, appear to be most at-risk of getting EV-D68, which spreads from person to person when someone infected coughs or sneezes, or by touching a contaminated surface.

"Parents and caregivers should be aware that children with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, may experience severe complications and require hospitalization with supportive therapy," New Jersey Health Commissioner Mary O'Dowd said in a statement.