Viral infections in 14 Kansas city-area infants under investigation

(HealthDay)—Similar viral infections among 14 infants in the Kansas City area are being investigated by health officials. The infections were caused by HPeV3, a virus that can cause meningitis and other inflammation. No deaths have occurred, but all of the infants have been hospitalized, CBS News/Associated Press reported.

Nine of the children are from Kansas and five are from Missouri. The first infection was reported in June. It's not clear if the cases are connected, said Kansas Department of Health and Environment spokeswoman Aimee Rosenow. She added that her department, the Missouri Health Department, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working to find out if there have been other similar infections.

The virus was first identified in 1999 after it caused an infection in a one-year-old child in Japan who developed symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and temporary paralysis, CBS/AP reported.

These infections appear to be a summertime disease, with peak months from July through October, according to experts.