Children's respiratory illness spreads to West Coast

A rare and often severe respiratory illness that first sickened hundreds of children in the Midwest has now spread to the West Coast. Health officials confirmed the first cases in California and Washington state on Friday.

Cases of the respiratory illness known as enterovirus D68 were also reported in New York and Pennsylvania earlier this week, meaning the disease is now present in more than a dozen states from coast to coast.

California's first cases were reported by San Diego County health authorities. Officials say three children from that area and a fourth visiting from Ventura County were hospitalized earlier this month. The children, ranging in age from 2 to 13, have since recovered and gone home.

Seattle Children's Hospital says two children there have also tested positive for the virus. Both children had preexisting health conditions, the hospital said, but they were stable enough to be discharged earlier this week.

The virus, which has sickened hundreds of children nationwide, typically causes illness lasting about a week, and most children recover with no lasting problems. Children with asthma may be more susceptible to serious illness.

The virus is believed to spread similarly to the common cold, through sneezing or coughing or touching contaminated surfaces.