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Enterovirus D68 has been confirmed in 27 states, as indicated by this map from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

(Courtesy of the CDC)

LANSING, MI – Enterovirus is generally behind sicknesses like the common cold, but three cases of a rarer strain that has hospitalized some children have been confirmed in Michigan by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Michigan Department of Community Health does not yet have details about where the Michigan cases originated, but is working with hospitals and local health officials to investigate the cases. One occurred in Kent County.

The enterovirus D68 strain, or EV-D68, can bring on symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, fever and racing heart rate. Children with asthma can be especially vulnerable and may require hospitalization. Michigan has seen an increase in children with severe respiratory illness, the Department of Community Health says.

According to the CDC the strain was first identified in California in 1962, but hasn’t been commonly reported in the United States.

But from mid-August to date the CDC has confirmed cases of the EV-D68 strain in 27 states, affecting 175 people.

The virus spreads through close contact with infected people or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.

The Department of Community Health recommends to prevent the spread people wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, avoid contact with sick people and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

The CDC recommends people with asthma and children suffering from reactive airway disease discuss their asthma action plans with their primary care providers, take their prescribed asthma medications as directed, keep reliever medication on them, and make sure a child’s caregiver or teacher is aware of the condition and can help if the child experiences asthma-related symptoms.

According to the CDC, it's the middle of enterovirus season and EV-D68 infections will likely decline later this autumn.

There is no vaccine for the virus, and no anti-virus medication for those already infected.

Emily Lawler is a Capital/Lansing business reporter for MLive. You can reach her at elawler@mlive.com, subscribe to her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter: @emilyjanelawler.