WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is warning area residents concerning an outbreak of a respiratory disease known as Human Enterovirus 68, as cases of the illness have been identified in Michigan.
Symptoms begin consistent with the onset of a regular cold, but quickly escalate to more serious conditions. Children with colds that quickly develop wheezing, difficulty breathing, fever, a bluish tint to their skin color and irregular or high heart rates should go immediately to the hospital.
There is no vaccine for this illness.
Steve Todd, Health Officer for the tri-county department, said the agency continually monitors its communities for disease occurrence through an on-line disease surveillance system and will keep residents updated if or when a confirmed outbreak is documented within the tri-counties.
