State officials have ruled out influenza as the cause of death of a preschool student in New Jersey, and a specimen is being sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine whether enterovirus, which has sickened children in the state and more than a dozen others, is to blame, authorities say.
New Jersey's Health Department said it determined the 4-year-old boy did not die of influenza after completing a series of tests over the weekend. The department said a specimen was being sent to the CDC, the only agency that can test for enterovirus, Monday.
It wasn't clear when results would be available.
The child attended Yardville Elementary School in Hamilton Township and died at home on Thursday after suffering a respiratory illness.
The boy's name has not been released.
Enteroviruses, which usually cause mild cold-like symptoms that last about a week, are common, afflicting up to 15 million people in the U.S. each year, but the CDC says this particular strain of the virus is unusually severe.
Infants and children are at particular risk, and though most affected people recover on their own and have no future problems, those with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions such as asthma may need to be hospitalized. No fatalities have been reported in the tri-state area.
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There is no vaccination. Prevention involves hand-washing, disinfecting surfaces and any usual steps to prevent the spread of flu.
There are more than 100 types of enteroviruses. EV-D68 was first identified in California in 1962.
Health officials urge anyone who has trouble breathing, or notices a child does, to call a doctor immediately.
