Twenty-five hospitals in the Banner Health Network including all Arizona locations are starting visitor restrictions. These are to try to contain Enterovirus D68, a respiratory illness that affects younger children.
Banner Health Infection Preventionist Janet Conner said hospitals aren't allowing visitors younger than 13.
“The reason for this is really two fold," Conner said. "It’s to prevent children from bringing that virus and other respiratory illnesses into the hospital and it’s also to prevent them from exposure to those viruses from people that may be in the hospital with them."
Conner said the hospitals will make exceptions for end-of-life circumstances. The restrictions will continue through March.
