The Arkansas Health Department officials confirmed Monday that enterovirus D68, a virus that has caused severe illness in children nationally, has been found in Arkansas.
Gary Wheeler, branch chief of infectious disease at Health Department, said that a sample sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week tested positive for the respiratory illness. He said about 12 other samples have been sent from the state.
The enterovirus virus commonly infects children in fall months, but enterovirus D68 is a strain rarely seen. The illness can cause fever, runny nose, sneezing and coughing along with body and muscle aches, according to the CDC. It also can cause wheezing and difficulty breathing. Infants, children and teenagers are more likely to become infected because they do not have immunity to the virus.