A 10-year-old Polk County girl is recovering after being diagnosed with a case of enterovirus 68, according to the Florida Department of Health.

It’s the first confirmed case of the virus in Florida. Enterovirus, or EV-D68, has already to spread to 30 other states.

According to the Florida Department of Health, Harleigh Dunn is a resident of Polk County but was treated in Hillsborough County and has since been discharged.

Dunn is a student at St. Joseph's Academy in Lakeland.

Dunn spent six days in the hospital and has been back at school for about a week.

Dunn's mother said she believes her daughter's asthma made the virus worse.

Other parents seemed to be aware of what was happening.

Parent Jaun Casasnovas didn't seem worried and neither does the health department.

"It's just another upper respiratory infection," said Casasnovas.

Dunn hasn't been contagious for weeks.

"There is no risk to the student body for this child to attend school," said Scott Sjoblom with the Florida Department of Health.

The virus progresses rapidly with children going from healthy to severely ill in just a day. More than 600 EV-D68 infections have been confirmed in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

Health officials say in reality the influenza virus is responsible for more hospitalizations then the enterovirus is.

ABOUT THE VIRUS:

Health officials say children with EV-D68 often display cold-like symptoms, but the virus can also cause their air passages to swell.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said four people infected with the virus have died, but only one is confirmed to be from the virus.

Officials are investigating a possible link between EV-D68 and more than a dozen children with partial limp paralysis.

If you believe your child may have contracted the EV-D68, medical professionals advise taking them to your primary care physician as soon as possible.

Symptoms include:

  • Wheezing
  • Trouble breathing
  • High fever with ill appearance
  • Thick nasal discharge
  • Signs of dehydration

Prevention measures include:

  • Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow;
  • Avoiding sharing cups and eating utensils;
  • Refraining from kissing those with symptoms;
  • Frequently cleaning potentially contaminated surfaces (doorknobs, countertops, tables, toys, etc.) using a bleach solution (1 part bleach and 9 parts water).

For more information, you can visit the CDC's website page here.