Enterovirus D-68 (EV-D68)
Information for Parents/Guardians
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) have confirmed over a dozen cases of the Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) in children who reside in New York State. The CDC and NYSDOH and other state public health departments are working together to gather information to better understand EV-D68 and the illness caused by this virus.
This virus has been in circulation since 1962, however never with such widespread/severe illness. Infants, children, and teenagers are at increased risk because they have not yet acquired immunity from previous exposures.
The virus is thought to spread from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces. Although many infections caused by EV-D68 in children will be mild and require only symptomatic care, children with pre-existing respiratory issues seem to develop the most severe cases of EV-D68.
The New York State Department of Health is advising parents and health care providers to be aware of the signs and symptoms of enterovirus EV-D68, a serious respiratory illness.