A spokesperson for the state Department of Health says a virus that’s causing severe respiratory illness in children hasn’t made it to South Dakota yet. It causes typical symptoms like fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and body aches. But for young children, infants, and those with conditions like asthma, the infection can be severe.
Barb Buhler is the Public Information Officer for the South Dakota Department of Health. She says the germ causing the severe illness is an enterovirus. They’re actually very common. There are more than 100 different types. This particular type, number 68, is less commonly reported. Buhler says while it isn’t in South Dakota yet, the virus could spread here.
“It’s certainly possible because states around us have reported cases,” Buhler says. “Enteroviruses are not reportable illnesses here in South Dakota and in other states that I’m aware of. But we have asked because of these cases that are being reported in other places in the country, we have asked our providers to be watching for any of those acute, unexplained, severe respiratory illnesses, if they’re seeing those kinds of things we would want them to report that to us, even though this is not a disease that’s typically reported.”
Buhler says those who have severe symptoms should seek medical care. She says preventing the illness is similar to preventing flu and colds: washing hands often, avoiding contact with people who are sick, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.