Rare respiratory virus strikes hundreds of kids in Kansas City, USA

A local medical center is  hospitalizing 20 to 30 kids a day with an unusual respiratory virus that can cause severe breathing problems, reported WDAF-TV.

 

Children’s Mercy Hospital has seen more than 300 cases in recent days in kids of all ages.

 

Preston Sheldon seemed fine when his mom took him to preschool Tuesday. But minutes later, Pam Sheldon got the call. Her three-year-old son was having trouble breathing.

 

“You could see his ribs, and his stomach was pushing out really hard… I thought it was an asthma attack,” she said.

 

The culprit is called enterovirus 68. Doctor say it’s well-known around the world, but cases have not been seen in Kansas City before.

 

There’s no anti-viral medicine for the virus and no vaccine. Supportive care, including oxygen, has helped Preston. His mom is glad they didn’t wait to go to the emergency room.

 

“Cause it can hit really fast. And without medical treatment, it could get really bad,” she said.

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