Public health officials are now struggling to prevent the spread of a respiratory virus, called Enterovirus D68, which has resulted in the hospitalization of children in 40 states all over the U.S., due to new information that the virus is said to cause paralysis.

Confirmed cases have been reported in states across the nation including Alabama, Connecticut, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, and many more.

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According to Mary Anne Jackson, the director of the division of infectious disease at Children's Mercy located in Kansas City, the latest probable victims, who suffered paralysis in their limbs, are three children from Missouri.

The hospital where Jackson works stated that they have treated over 700 suspected cases and was one of the first who have reported about the health outbreak. The extent of this virus is not yet identified but Jackson noted that they are in a dynamic period as of the moment.

Health officials from Children's Hospital Colorado are now examining ten cases that are similar to those in Kansas, informing that the patients have suffered from severe muscle weakness.

According to the pediatric rehabilitation specialist, Joyce Oleszek, those hit by the virus reportedly cannot move their hands whenever they want to eat while others cannot use their limbs and have trouble breathing and swallowing.

As no cases have been reported yet regarding complete immobility, authorities don't believe  the paralysis is permanent, Oleszek added.

In total, it is believed that 443 cases have been spotted across the U.S. although authorities noted that the number is not yet final as the hospital in Colorado alleges that they have sighted over a thousand suspected cases.

Testing facilities have also had scores of parents bringing in their children but only have the ability to test those whose cases appear more critical.  

The Enterovirus is closely related to the common cold, and symptoms can range from a runny nose to trouble breathing.

According to researcher Rafal Tokarz from Columbia University, paralysis is not yet a confirmed symptom. He noted that further studies should be done in order to ensure that the paralysis cases in Missouri and Colorado are linked to the illness. 

TagsEnterovirus D68, children, 40 states, hospitals, outbreak, Virus, spreading, respiratory, common colds, Paralysis, enterovirus, Virus, Paralysis, D68