Michigan doctors, hospitals on guard for 'enterovirus 68'

State says no confirmed cases at this time

Is the virus that has sickened hundreds of children in 10 states spreading in Michigan too?  

Local doctors and hospitals are on the lookout.

The virus is called "enterovirus 68."  While enteroviruses are common, this particular one is not. 

The Centers for Disease Control says a dozen states have asked for assistance investigating clusters of cases, including Colorado, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Kentucky.

So far, Michigan does not have any confirmed cases.

"We are monitoring the situation and are not aware of any Michigan cases at this time," said Angela Minicuci from the Michigan Department of Community Health.

But several local hospitals are reporting an influx of children suffering from respiratory illnesses.

"We've seen an increasing number of respiratory-related viruses with wheezing.  Now whether or not it's the enterovirus that everyone has been hearing about, that's unclear," said Dr. Edward Walton, director of pediatric emergency medicine at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. 

Walton said samples from patients will be sent to the state to find out if enterovirus 68 is to blame.

At the University of Michigan, doctors are aware of the situation in other states and say they have seen an increase in kids with respiratory illness that are sicker than they usually see at this time of year, as well as many kids with significant wheezing who have never had asthma before.

Children's Hospital of Michigan says their doctors are keeping a watchful eye and have seen a huge influx of respiratory cases over the last several weeks.

The early symptoms of enterovirus 68 include sneezing, runny nose and cough, but can progress to a severe cough, difficulty breathing, a rash, and sometimes fever or wheezing.  Children with asthma are especially at risk. 

"There really isn't any way for a parent to know whether it's EV-68 or another virus," said Walton.  "To be honest, it really isn't that important.  The treatment is the same.  It's Tylenol or Motrin if there's a fever, good hydration and keeping an eye on them and having them seen if you're worried about them.  Any time a parent is worried, they need to be talking to their primary care physician about what they're seeing with their child."