WATCH: US health officials reported nearly two-dozen enterovirus cases in Westchester, nine in New Jersey, four on Long Island and at least one in New York City.
TORONTO – The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto is awaiting test results for potential Enterovirus D68 in three children after they exhibited muscle weakness following respiratory illnesses.
The hospital announced at a noon press conference on Friday it doesn’t know what’s ailing the kids and it won’t know until sometime next week when test results come back.
“We recognize that one experiences varying degrees of severity of muscle weakness. In some cases, the muscles are so weak that they’re totally paralyzed,” Dr. Upton Allen, Chief of Infectious Diseases at SickKids said. “We currently are still evaluating these children. We do have children who have very mild involvement, but some would have more severe involvement.”
Allen said the hospital is currently trying to determine what’s causing the weakness so they can effectively treat it.
But it’s not a particular group of muscles, Allen said. The weakness can hit any muscle and can range from mild weakness to complete paralysis.
Enterovirus is a group of viruses that can cause a wide range of symptoms including a mild cough or runny nose to severe symptoms like difficulty breathing.
“This group of viruses has also been associated with neurologic problems such as muscle weakness and meningitis, although these illnesses occur much less commonly than respiratory infections,” the hospital said in a media release Thursday.
Allen didn’t say how old the kids were, noting only the hospital treats anyone under the age of 18, and said there was no recognizable connection between the three children.
READ MORE: Is enterovirus the culprit for paralysis symptoms in Canadian kids?
Four Hamilton-area patients, including one who tested positive for the condition, were being assessed for neurological symptoms on Thursday.
The symptoms are similar to other instances being reported in other cities in Canada and the U.S.
So far, testing has identified 139 cases of Enterovirus D68 in the Hamilton region since Aug. 28.
Doctors say children and youth battling the virus are showing signs of paralysis, but it’s not yet known how the respiratory illness and polio-like symptoms are related.
Enterovirus D68 is spread much like influenza – direct contact with a contaminated surface or indirect contact with the virus through sneezing and coughing.
READ MORE: More Canadian children being tested for neurological symptoms
SickKids Hospital is advising parents or guardians to pay special attention to their children who are recovering from a respiratory illness.
“If your child is recovering from a respiratory illness but then suddenly develops a new fever, or difficulty breathing you should seek medical attention,” the hospital said.
“The best way to protect yourself and your children against enteroviruses is to wash your hands regularly with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer.”
READ MORE: 4 deaths reported in people with enterovirus D68, but exact cause unclear
In recent weeks, cases of paralysis have been reported in children from B.C., Alberta and Manitoba, and outside of Canada such as in Colorado, Boston, Missouri and Michigan.
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