Health officials say a case of an unusual respiratory virus has been confirmed in an 8-year-old southeastern Massachusetts girl. State Department of Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett says the girl has a history of asthma. She was hospitalized and has recovered. The Enterovirus D68 has been confirmed in 27 states since mid-August, including Connecticut. So Bartlett says its presence in Massachusetts is not unexpected.

“For most children this virus is relatively mild, but for children with asthma and other respiratory illnesses, it can be more serious,” Bartlett says. “Parents should contact their pediatrician if their child is experiencing respiratory illness.”

State officials say the federal Centers for Disease Control are testing more respiratory virus samples from Massachusetts, and they expect to see more cases of the D68 strain in the state. The virus can cause mild to severe illness, with the worst cases needing life support for breathing difficulties. The strain is not new, but it’s rarely seen.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.