Health Officials Confirm Enterovirus in Idaho
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BOISE, Idaho (AP) – Idaho health officials say an unusual respiratory virus that’s been causing illness among children across the U.S. is in Idaho.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday confirmed the presence of the enterovirus D68.
Officials say a child hospitalized in eastern Idaho tested positive for the virus. The child has since been released from the hospital.
Health and Welfare spokesman Tom Shanahan says the Idaho Division of Public Health is working with health workers to identify elevated levels of respiratory illnesses.
He says there has been a slight increase in Idaho Falls and southwest Idaho, but levels appear normal in other areas.
The virus causes mild to severe illness, with the worst cases needing life support for breathing difficulties.