The virus that has likely sickened 1000s of children in the United States has now been laboratory confirmed in nearly half of the country, according to the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

EV68 mapAccording to the federal health agency, from mid-August to September 19, 2014, a total of 160 people from 22 states were confirmed to have respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. The 22 states are Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. The cases of EV-D68 infection were confirmed by the CDC or state public health laboratories that notified CDC.

In the upcoming weeks, more states will have confirmed cases of EV-D68 infection.

Washington State, one of the latest additions to the list has reported two confirmed EV-D68 cases at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Both children have pre-existing health conditions that made their symptoms worse; however, they have been released from the hospital.

Dr. Danielle Zerr, Division Chief, Pediatric Infectious Disease at Seattle Children’s Hospital advised, “Parents should watch their children closely for difficulty breathing and wheezing, especially in kids with asthma. If your child does not have these symptoms, then you do not need to seek hospital care. If your child is exhibiting these symptoms, take them to the emergency room as soon as possible. If your child is in severe respiratory distress, call 911.”