Health officials in Maryland have reported that the state has its first confirmed case of enterovirus. A hospitalized child was found to have the virus after a specimen was sent to the Center for Disease Control, whose lab confirmed the presence of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68).

The virus causes a respiratory illness similar to a cold, but also can contain a strain that produces especially severe respiratory distress in children.

Maryland is not the only area reporting the virus. Virginia, for example, has confirmed seven cases of children being infected and health officials report another 12 cases are awaiting confirmation. According to the CDC, 220 people across 32 states have been affected by the virus in August and September 2014.

The CDC states that this is a typical time of year for people to come down with EV-D68 and estimates that rates of infection should slow down in late fall.

People who are at the most risk from the virus are infants, children and teenagers, especially ones with histories of asthma. This is because these young age groups do not have the immunity to the virus built up yet and the respiratory effects tend to exacerbate asthma conditions, says the CDC.

The virus is spread through saliva and mucus when a person coughs, sneezes, or touches a surface. To prevent contracting the illness, health officials recommend that people wash their hands frequently, avoid kissing or sharing beverages with sick individuals, and disinfect surfaces to prevent contact with the virus.

People are also encouraged to stay up to date on their influenza vaccines, though the CDC reports that there are no vaccines available for this specific virus.