The mysterious respiratory virus Enterovirus D68 has sickened several children across the US and it has now entered the Northeast too.

According to government officials, over a dozen cases of enterovirus D68 have been confirmed in New York state. Two Connecticut hospitals have reported possible cases of this virus.

The virus especially affects children with asthma and there is no vaccine for this virus. The Connecticut Department of Public Health, citing the Centers for Disease Control, said they have recorded 97 confirmed cases of enterovirus D68 since mid-August.

The CDC said earlier this week that confirmed cases were found in 19 out of 22 samples from Kansas City, Missouri, and 11 out of 14 samples from Chicago in children ranging in age from 16 weeks to 16 years old. All the infected children had a medical history of asthma and wheezing.

"It is important that we follow common sense rules to prevent the spread of this virus, as we do for flu and other contagious illnesses" acting New York state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said in a statement. "Because there is no specific treatment or vaccination against this virus, our best defense is to prevent it by practicing proper hygiene."

Doctors recommend taking basic sanitary precautions, including washing hands often with soap and water, avoiding sharing items with sick people, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

Enteroviruses can transmit through close contact with an infected person, or by touching objects or surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.

"Clinicians throughout the country need to be on the alert for increases in severe respiratory illness and consider this in the differential diagnosis," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said earlier this week. "Geography isn't that helpful when it comes to respiratory viruses. We know that flu transits the entire country pretty quickly."