Three cases of enterovirus confirmed in B.C.

A serious respiratory illness that’s been spreading through parts of the U.S. has now shown up in B.C.

There are now three confirmed cases of enterovirus in B.C., according to the BC Centre for Disease Control.

There are already 18 confirmed cases in Alberta. In Ontario, 12 kids are undergoing tests for the disease.

Symptoms of the enterovirus are similar to the common cold, but for children with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma it can be much more dangerous.

The virus has already caused the hospitalization of hundreds of people — mostly children — across the U.S.