The results of tests on the first patient suspected of having enterovirus D68 or EV-D68 at the Windsor Regional Hospital have come back positive.
And officials say it likely won't be the first and last positive.
Close to 100 tests have been done on local kids for the enterovirus D68.
"Please don't call the hospital, if we haven't called you. It's because we don't have the results yet. When we get the results, we will call, make contact with family or public healthy," says Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj.
The patient who tested positive is a young boy, admitted on Sept. 15.
"The patient's OK now. He's back home; he's doing fine," says Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj.
Visitor restrictions in the pediatric unit at the hospital will continue, meaning you have to be at least 18 to visit the unit.
Local medical officer of health, Allen Heimann says the flu season doesn't typically start until December. He says while a flu shot won't prevent EV-D68, it's still important for children to get the shot this yer.
"If there are two serious cases of flu out there and the flu shot can prevent one of them, it's a wise move."
While the virus has been rare in the past, it has been appearing more frequently lately in both the U.S. and Canada, and can have serious consequences.
In mild cases symptoms are similar to a common cold or flu, but in more serious cases patients can have difficulty breathing and need to be hospitalized.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus spreads the same way as the common cold, with babies, children and teenagers being most susceptible.
There is no specific treatment available for EV-D68 and there is no vaccine to prevent infections.
With files from CTVNews.ca
