Texas reports 9 confirmed cases of enterovirus

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There are now nine confirmed cases of enterovirus in the state of Texas. The virus has put hundreds of children in the hospital around the country, and now there's concern that it's inching its way here.

None of those nine confirmed cases in Texas are in the Houston area, but doctors say out of sight out of mind is the wrong approach here.. It could come, and parents need to know what they're dealing with.

Since mid-August, Enterovirus D68 has landed hundreds of kids in hospitals across more than 30 states. Infants, children, and teens are most likely to get it.

Dr. Richard Castriotta with Memorial Hermann Hospital says the symptoms resemble a regular cold, until the virus gets into the lungs.

"It hits pretty quickly and it's very apparent. These kids can't breathe. They're short of breath and you need to bring them into the emergency room," Castriotta said.

A spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services tells me nine cases have been confirmed in Texas. Seven in Dallas, one in Denton County, and one in Anderson County.

"I don't want them to get it. Obviously we're always trying to protect the kids from sickness any way we can so there's obviously concern about things like that," parent Patrick Rowe said.

We met Patrick Rowe at Discovery Green playing soccer with his four children.

"Yeah if it's really moving this way, you gotta think about it, gotta be concerned and do what you can to keep the kids safe," he said.

Parents, here are a few things you need to know. First, how your kids catch the virus.

"You catch it from contact and swallowing. in other words, the kids are going to play with a toy, they're going to contaminate it. somebody else is going to get the toy, play with it, get it on their hands touch their face or something," Castriotta said.

And here's advice on how to prevent it.

"Just common sense hygiene: hand washing, keeping diapers and other things out of the way of other stool and other people," Castriotta said.

People who have asthma or other lung diseases are more likely to have the worst symptoms. If you think you have symptoms of enterovirus, get checked out immediately.