Enterovirus

Non-Polio Enteroviruses

Non-polio enteroviruses are very common viruses that can affect anyone. Infants, children, and teenagers are more likely to get infected and become sick. That's because they do not yet have immunity (protection) from previous exposures to the viruses.

Most people who get infected with non-polio enteroviruses do not get sick, or they may have mild illness, like the common cold.

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68)

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is one of many non-polio enteroviruses. This virus was first identified in California in 1962, but it has not been commonly reported in the United States.

Symptoms of EV-D68 Infection

EV-D68 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness.

  • Mild symptoms may include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body and muscle aches.
  • Most of the children who got very ill with EV-D68 infection in Missouri and Illinois had difficulty breathing, and some had wheezing. Many of these children had asthma or a history of wheezing.

How EV-D68 Spreads

Since EV-D68 causes respiratory illness, the virus can be found in an infected person’s respiratory secretions, such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum. EV-D68 likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces.

Keep your child from getting and spreading Enterovirus D68