Unknown nasty virus may be on its way to Canada |

Public health officials expect a nasty, uncommon virus is on its way, although no case has been confirmed locally.

Enterovirus D68 sickened 14 children in Hamilton, 20 children in Windsor, and other children in Canada and the U.S.

Anybody can catch it. Its impact is often mild, but children under five and teenagers are among those most at risk. The virus, which affects breathing, has put some children in hospital. No one has died in the latest outbreak.

“While it is impossible to predict, given current circulation patterns, it is likely (the virus) will appear in Waterloo Region,” said Kirsten Keil-Mehlenbacher, a spokesperson for Region of Waterloo Public Health.

Symptoms range from a mild cold-like illness, with coughing and wheezing, to severe infections that require hospitalization.

As with other viruses, people can protect themselves by coughing or sneezing into their sleeves, washing hands often with soap or sanitizer, avoiding close contact with sick people, staying home if ill, and disinfecting surfaces that are touched often such as toys and doorknobs. There’s no vaccine.

Children displaying symptoms should be treated as for any cold or flu, unless they develop breathing difficulties, in which case an emergency room visit is recommended.

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