Mike Stobbe
NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials say three people died who were infected with a virus causing severe respiratory illness across the country. But what role the virus played in the deaths is unclear.
A Rhode island child died last week after suffering both a bacterial infection and infection from enterovirus 68. The virus is behind a spike in harsh respiratory illnesses in children since early August.
Rhode Island officials said it’s unclear what role the virus played in the child’s death.
Federal officials have detected the virus in two other patients who died, but again say the virus’s role was unclear. The government released no other details about them.
The government says enterovirus 68 sickened at least 472 people in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Almost all have been children.
The virus can cause mild to severe illness, with the worst cases needing life support for breathing difficulties. The strain isn’t new but it’s rarely seen.