Miss. Has 2 More Cases of Enterovirus

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Mississippi health officials are confirming two more cases of a virus that causes respiratory illness in children.

The Mississippi State Department of Health says in a news release that the two cases were reported in young children – one from Forrest County and the other from Calhoun County. A case was reported in a Hancock County child last week.

Enterovirus-D68 is a more virulent strain of the virus that causes the common cold. The virus can cause mild to severe illness, with the worst cases needing life support for breathing difficulties. Children with asthma are more vulnerable. No deaths have been reported.

Health officials say infants, children and teenagers are more likely to become infected because they do not have immunity to the virus.