Health officials report that it’s likely a severe respiratory illness that has sickened hundreds of children in more than 10 states has made its way to Minnesota and Wisconsin. However, there have been no confirmed cases as health care providers send samples to the lab for testing.

State epidemiologist Aaron DeVries says health officials have identified a handful of enterovirus 68 cases in each of the past few years in Minnesota. DeVries said he would not be surprised to find the virus circulating again.

Emergency room workers at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics’ St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses have been busier than usual treating children with respiratory problems. Children’s infectious disease director Patsy Stinchfield said more children are coming in with severe asthma symptoms and most are being admitted.

The situation is similar in Wisconsin.

Although no cases have been confirmed, Paul Biedrzycki of the Milwaukee Health Department said there’s no reason to believe it isn’t circulating there. He said health officials are “enhancing surveillance and getting messaging out to parents and health care providers to be looking for it.”