The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario has confirmed 4 cases of Enterovirus D68 (EV D68), a respiratory virus that has hospitalized hundreds of children in the United States. CHEO spokesperson Eva Schaecherl says all four children were hospitalized, though none required intensive care. Schaecherl says the children have recovered and gone home.
The laboratory testing for EV D-68 takes time. Now, CHEO says it will begin systematic testing for this strain among other children exhibiting similar symptoms. CHEO has seen a “small increase” in Emergency Department visits, including respiratory illnesses, which Schaecherl says is not unusual for “back to school” time.
In the United States, the virus appears to peak after a two-week period. Schaecherl says it appears as though the Ottawa area is just starting to see this virus.
