3 enterovirus D-68 cases reported in Orange County

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- Orange County health officials are reporting their first cases of enterovirus D68, the highly contagious respiratory illness affecting children across the United States.

Three children tested positive for enterovirus, the Orange County Health Care Agency announced Friday.

The cases "are unrelated and are not linked with any community outbreak of the illness," the agency said in a statement.

All of the cases occurred in September. Dr. Helene Calvert with the Orange County Health Agency said the three patients were hospitalized, and then released when their condition improved.

"The three range in age from a newborn to a teenager," Calvert said.

No further information was released about the three patients.

Across California, there have been 32 cases of enterovirus D68 reported, including eight cases in San Diego County, four cases in L.A. County, two cases in Riverside County, one case in Ventura County and one case in the city of Long Beach.

The second known case in Riverside left a 12-year-old child hospitalized.

Since mid-August, health officials have confirmed 678 cases of enterovirus D68 in 46 states and Washington D.C., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

EV-D68 spreads when an infected coughs, sneezes or touches a surface that is touched by others because the virus is found in saliva or mucus.

Mild symptoms of enterovirus include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough and body and muscle aches, and severe symptoms include wheezing and difficulty breathing.

There is currently no anti-viral medication or vaccine. Orange County health officials say enteroviruses usually peak in the fall, so they expect cases to start dropping off.