Enterovirus D68: 14 cases confirmed in Hamilton

Hamilton has had at least 14 cases of Enterovirus D68, the respiratory illness that has sickened hundreds of children across Canada and the U.S., McMasters Childrens Hospital said Thursday.

The hospital and the Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program said in a news release they have a high degree of certainty that 14 samples tested positive for the disease.

• 8 things parents should know aboutEnterovirus D68

• White Coat, Black Art |EV-D68 Crosses the Border

EnterovirusD68 shares symptoms with the common cold, but it can be dangerous for children who already haverespiratory issues like allergies or asthma. In some cases, infants have been placed in intensive care while fighting the disease.

While this result tells us that we have EV-D68 in our region, that is neither surprising, nor a cause for alarm for families, McMasters chief of pediatrics Dr. Lenno Huang said in the release.

No deaths have been attributed to the disease and in most cases it has only caused mild symptoms, the hospital said. Only one person with a confirmed case of D68 remains in hospital.

The positive test samples have been sent to the National Microbiology Labs in Winnipeg for further testing.

Childrens hospitals across Canada have reported suspected cases of the disease.