Dallas

CDC to Test for Enterovirus in Samples from North Texas

Signs in the lobby of Children's Health System of Texas campuses in Dallas and Plano explain new visitation rules not allowing children under the age of 12 to visit current patients.

The rules are a precautionary measure in light of Enterovirus D68 closing in on North Texas, along with the flu season fast approaching.

NBC 5 has learned samples have been sent from North Texas to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with other agencies to determine if children in the region have had Enterovirus-68.

Right now, doctors are unsure when results will come back.

"We are certainly looking at all the kids that come in with severe respiratory track disease," said Dr. Jeffrey Kahn. "All the samples we are sending out for more advanced testing of the virus are really coming from the kids who have the most serious infections."

The illness, which has affected children so badly it's put some on ventilators, has doctors vigilant. That's one main reason the new visitation rules have been implemented.

"This is a precautionary measure because of the reports of Enterovirus-68 circulating in different parts of the country," Kahn said. "This is a standard precaution to help prevent the spread of viruses in the hospital."

Still, doctors point out there hasn't been a noticeable spike in respiratory illnesses in the emergency room, especially when compared to last year.

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