The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is alerting the public about the rise of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), a common childhood virus that can, in rare instances, lead to muscle weakness or paralysis. The CDC reported 260 cases of EV-D68, significantly more than in the past three years combined, with the average age of affected children being under three. Cases have been identified across seven pediatric medical centers, and during a recent week, 56% of children seeking emergency care for respiratory illness tested positive for the virus.
Historically, EV-D68 outbreaks have occurred every other year, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this pattern. Experts believe that children, now back in schools and public settings, have been exposed to the virus after a prolonged period of limited contact. The CDC is urging healthcare providers to be vigilant for EV-D68 cases and to…
