Enterovirus D68: SickKids testing 3 patients, hospital confirms

Three young patients at Torontos Hospital for Sick Children are currently being tested forEnterovirusD68after they experienced muscle weakness following respiratory illnesses, the hospital confirmed Friday.

Meanwhile Ontario's Minister of Health, EricHoskins, has told CBC News one child in the province who has tested positive for theenterovirushas paralysis.

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The virus commonly causes a variety of mild symptoms, such as coughing, running nose or trouble breathing.EnterovirusD68is a part of a larger group of viruses that cause similar symptoms, some of which are associated withsevere neurological problems, including muscle weakness and meningitis.

EnterovirusD68has recently been connected to clusters of confirmed outbreaks of respiratory illness among children in California, Colorado,B.C.,Alberta,SaskatchewanandManitoba.

This week,McMasterChildrens Hospital in Hamilton, Ont.,confirmed they are testing four patientssuspected of contracting the virus after they exhibited muscle weakness. Since Aug. 28, there have been 139 confirmed cases in the Hamilton area. Alberta health officials are also currently investigating four cases of paralysis in children that may be linked toEV-D68.

In a statement to CBC News,SickKidsdeclined to reveal when test results are expected, but did offer some advice to parents who might be concerned about the virus.

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If your child is recovering from a respiratory illness but then suddenly develops a new fever, or difficulty breathing you should seek medical attention, the statement read.

The best way to protect yourself and your children againstenterovirusesis to wash your hands regularly with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer.