Audrey Fineday washes Jenna Riel's hands with water in a spray bottle as other children wait their turn at a daycare in North Battleford, Sask, Wednesday May 9, 2001. Saskatchewan’s chief medical officer says there are 13 confirmed cases of a respiratory virus that has hospitalized children in the U.S. and Canada.ADRIAN WYLD/The Canadian Press
Saskatchewan's chief medical officer says there are 13 confirmed cases of a respiratory virus that has hospitalized children in the U.S. and Canada.
Dr. Saqib Shahab says the cases of enterovirus D68 were found in both the north and south parts of the province.
He says for most children the virus is just like any other cold.
It tends to cause symptoms in the lower part of the respiratory system, putting children with asthma or wheezing at greater risk of developing more acute illness from the infection.
Shahab adds that while there has been a slight increase in hospitalizations, overall the virus doesn't present a significant concern.
There are more than 100 enteroviruses, the second most common cause of the common cold after rhinoviruses.