A large number of youngsters are being treated in hospitals in Ohio, which is the first American state to report an outbreak identical to the one in China. According to Warren County health officials, there have been 142 pediatric cases of the illness known as 'white lung syndrome' since August.

"Not only is this above the county average, but it also meets the Ohio Department of health definition of an outbreak," authorities stated on Wednesday.

There are fears that an American outbreak of the virus that has taken over Chinese hospitals would arise as a result of case transmission. Many european countries are in similar situations.

However, a source at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that "nothing is out of the ordinary" on a national level.

Officials in Ohio are investigating what is causing the disease wave, but they do not believe it is a new respiratory infection. They suspect that a combination of numerous common viruses hitting at the same time is to blame.

"Not only is this above the county average, but it also meets the Ohio Department of health definition of an outbreak," officials said Wednesday.

There are worries that case transfer will culminate in an American outbreak of the virus that has taken over Chinese hospitals. Many european countries have comparable challenges.

On a national level, however, a source at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that "nothing out of the ordinary" had occurred.

Ohio officials are looking into what is causing the sickness outbreak, but they do not believe it is a new respiratory virus. They assume that a confluence of several common viruses striking at the same time is to blame.


Find out more: