A Michigan toddler has died of enterovirus D68, another reminder of the deadly potential of a disease that has infected hundreds nationwide in two months.
Madeline Reid died at Children's Hospital of Michigan, where she had been transferred "for advanced services," according to the Detroit hospital's chief medical officer, Dr. Rudolph Valentini.
"The CDC confirmed EV-D68 after her arrival here, and she subsequently succumbed to her illness," Valentini said.
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Enterovirus is very common, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimating 10 million to 15 million infections each year in the United States.
But like the flu or other viruses, not all the roughly 100 enterovirus strains are the same. D68 is particularly pernicious.
Authorities say this strain has sent more children than usual to the hospital with severe respiratory illness. It seems to be most affecting children with a history of asthma or breathing problems.
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As of Friday, the CDC and state public health laboratories had documented 691 cases of enterovirus D68 in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Five patients who died had the virus strain, even if it's not certain all of them died because of it. Madeline's case is not yet counted in this tally.
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