Prince George, B.C.- Northern Health has confirmed it has  attended to one case of  Enterovirus D68.  The patient, whose home town, age and gender are not being released, has fully recovered.

Northern Health’s Chief Medical Health office, Dr. Sandra Allison says many people may  have a respiratory virus  “There are  many, many different types of respiratory viruses and  just because of modern  technology can  we actually put a name and identify them and so,  enterovirus D678 has been around for a long time, but even more common is the influenza virus which , ah, influenza season is just around the corner.”

Dr. Allison says its not clear how many people have had, or will have enterovirus  “Because the greatest majority of people  that will contract enterovirus will have mild illness.”  She says some people may not  have any symptoms at all.

Shortness of breath, cough fever,  fatigue runny nose, those  are the symptoms of enterovirus.  She says those who  experience the mild symptoms should stay  at home “But if you are feeling worse,  feeling really run down,  very fatigued, really persistent fever, then go seek medical  attention.”

She says the reports of some developing paralysis, are “really the small minority of people who have contracted enterovirus D68.”

Advice to avoid contracting enterovirusD68 is simple,  thorough hand washing.  For those who  have a respiratory illness,  she asks that they  practice respiratory etiquette by coughing into their elbow and making sure any used tissues have been  disposed of.