Enterovirus D68 diagnosis made in Yonkers student

Yonkers school officials say an elementary school student has been diagnosed with a sometime severe respiratory virus affecting hundreds of children around the country.

Spokeswoman Jerilynne Fierstein tells the Journal News that the district learned over the weekend that a Cedar Place Elementary School child had been diagnosed with enterovirus D68.

She says the school has been sanitized. She had no information about the student's condition.

The virus causes mild to severe illness, with the worst cases needing life support. Health officials say enteroviruses are common but this strain is rarely seen, and this year's outbreak is unusually severe.

The virus primarily affects young children. Most recover without lasting problems.