The contagious and mysteriousEV-D68 virushas infected at least 150 children in Ontario, with 12 kids suffering varying levels of paralysis linked to respiratory problems.

“Measles and chicken pox are reportable. Why wouldn’t EV-D68 be? This is a transmissible disease and we have confirmed cases from Ottawa to Windsor,” McDonald told the Star Tuesday.

Toronto’sHospital for Sick Childrenannounced Wednesday that it had seven confirmed cases of EV-D68, with at least one infected child suffering muscle weakness.

Another five children also have muscle weakness linked with respiratory illness; it is unclear how many of those have EV-D68.

The rare virus has been hospitalizing hundreds of children across North America since August. It has now been confirmed in six provinces in Canada.

EV-D68 is related to the common cold and the vast majority of people only suffer mild symptoms. In the most severe cases, patients can develop polio-like symptoms such as paralysis or end up on respirators in intensive care.

The virus has been detected in at least five children who have died in the United States and some researchers fear it could be this generation’s version of polio.

When asked on Tuesday if EV-D68 would become reportable in Ontario, a Ministry of Health and Long Term Care spokesman said: “No, there is no plan at this time to add EV-D68 as a reportable disease.”

This means hospitals arenot obliged to notifyprovincial public health officials of positive test results, making it impossible to monitor the spread of the virus.

Ontario Minister of Health and Long Term Care Dr. Eric Hoskins said in an emailed statement that EV-D68 was not required to be reported to public health authorities, like most respiratory infections.

The vast majority of people would not seek or require medical care.

http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2014/10/09/ontario_lagging_in_enterovirus_fight_as_toronto_toll_mounts.html