A meningitis virus that usually affects 3 to 8 week-old babies has now targeted an even younger demographic in Kansas City.

Since June, the meningitis virus identified as HPeV3 affected 14 infants as young as 1 to 2 weeks old. These odd cases were reported by the Shawnee Mission Medical Center and Children's Mercy Hospital.

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Nine of the babies were from Kansas while the other five were from Missouri. The infants became ill after returning to their homes from a hospital.

There is no evidence, however, the babies contracted the virus in the hospitals mentioned.

HPeV3, a human parechovirus, causes diarrhea, respiratory problems and vomiting, as well as an immune system inflammation. Due to a malfunctioning immune system, babies can get fevers, rashes and seizures.

The first case of the virus was discovered in 1999 when a child residing in Japan developed symptoms that included fever, semi-paralysis and diarrhea.

This type of viral infection is very common. Meningitis cases range from 30 to 100 every summer. The illness peaks between July and October.

Fortunately, none of the infants infected with the virus have died. Dr. Mary Anne Jackson, the infectious disease director at Children's Mercy Hospital, said the sick babies have been crying and can't eat or sleep.

"Mainly, these babies have had severe neurologic manifestations with seizures and changes on MRI that are consistent with parechovirus. Still, the prognosis looks good for them. So even babies that have an intensive care unit course with multiple anticonvulsants, they've gone home," Dr. Jackson shared.

Amy Rosenow, spokesperson of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), said that they are working with Children's Mercy Hospital to find a pattern in the symptoms developed by the infected babies and to trace back a possible link in the cases.

Because of the meningitis outbreak, the KDHE is now investigating the possibility that more infants have been infected in other health centers.