Posted: Saturday, October 4, 2014, 4:21 PM
The death of a New Jersey preschooler was caused by the Enterovirus-D68, officials confirmed on Saturday.
The 4-year-old Hamilton Township boy's case marks the first New Jersey death attributed to the virus, township health officer Jeff Plunkett said.
Eli Waller attended preschool at Yardville Elementary School and died at home on Sept. 25.
Officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also notified New Jersey that another case of Enterovirus-D68 was confirmed in a child living in Middlesex County. Other cases have been noted in Camden, Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Essex, Passaic and Sussex Counties.
Six cases have been identified in Pennsylvania.
Those stricken with Enterovirus-D68 typically exhibit symptoms similar to the common cold that escalate into severe respiratory trouble. Children with asthma can be particularly hard hit.
Nationwide, there have been more than 500 confirmed cases of enterovirus in 43 states and Washington, D.C. Nearly all of those affected have been children.
The New Jersey news comes on the heels of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia reporting Friday that it was treating three patients with a combination of muscle weakness and spinal abnormality - a combination often caused by infection that could be linked to Enterovirus-D68.
Hospital officials said they are seeking to understand the cluster of cases.
kgraham@phillynews.com 215-854-5146 @newskag http://ift.tt/1jFv8PL
This article contains information from the Associated Press.
