No doubt you've heard of the nasty respiratory virus spreading across the United States.

Now there are the first worrying signs that the virus is making its way into Canada and that has health officials here at home, on alert.     For most children who get this virus, it will be like getting the common cold.  But Ottawa Public Health says for those kids who have asthma or other pre-existing respiratory problems, parents need to be vigilant.  At an Ottawa park this afternoon, little 3-year-old Emily is the picture of health. So, while her mom has heard of the Enterovirus D68, she's not worried about it.  

I’ve heard not to worry too much,” says mother Catherine Lafleur, “keep eye on kids.  It’s pretty similar to a common cold. Keep eye on them and if they are sick, to make sure they don't worsen rapidly.”

And that's the general advice for most kids who may get this virus and never even know it. 

But for hundreds of children with asthma, bronchitis or a predilection towards respiratory problems like this 13 year old in the United States, this bug has hit them hard.

“I felt like I was going to die,” he tells a reporter.

The outbreak has spread through 10 states and may now be in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta, though tests need to confirm that.

 “We don't know whether it’s the same D68 as described in the United States,” says Dr. James Talbot, Alberta’s Chief Medical Health Officer, “We're working with the Public Health Lab and the national lab to determine whether that’s the case.”

Ottawa Public Health says there are no confirmed cases in this city.  Dr. Rosamund Lewis, Otttawa’s associate medical officer of health, says while CHEO has seen an increase in respiratory cases, there is no indication it is EV-D68.  However, she does want parents to be vigilant.

''We are asking parents to be vigilant,” says Dr. Lewis, “to watch if your child already has a history of asthma that if you see symptoms develop don't wait too long. But by and large it's not a concern.”

That may be difficult to convince some parents of that, though.

“I guess anything that comes around that's medical related is kind of a worry,” says Dana Jervis, as she plays with 3-year-old Quinn, “especially if kids are being hospitalized.”

The symptoms of this virus are similar to a common cold: fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing.

If a child develops a respiratory illness with shortness of breath, wheezing or continuous coughing, that's when you may need to consult a doctor.

For most parents, though, this virus, if their children get it, will just be another bump in the road.

 “He's going to get sick when he goes to daycare so I’m not worried,” says mother Martine Daneault about her 8-month-old son Quinn.

At this point, there is no vaccine for this virus.  Doctors say the key to keeping kids healthy is to make sure they wash their hands, wash their toys, and if they are sick, to keep them home.