October 1, 2014
Enterovirus D68 in the United States, 2014
AS per the CDC - What We Know
EV-D68 infections have recently been documented across the United States.
- From mid-August to October 1, 2014, CDC or state public health laboratories have confirmed a total of 500 people in 42 states and the District of Columbia with respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. This indicates that at least one case has been detected in each state listed but does not indicate how widespread infections are in each state.
- Enteroviruses commonly circulate in summer and fall. We’re currently in middle of the enterovirus season, and EV-D68 infections are likely to decline later in the fall.
Many state health departments have reported increases this year in cases of severe respiratory illness in children.
- This increase could be caused by many different viruses that are common during this time of year. EV-D68 appears to be the predominant type of enterovirus this year and may be contributing to the increases in severe respiratory illnesses.
- Hospitals in Missouri and Illinois were the first to document this increase that was later identified to be caused predominantly by EV-D68 infection.
CDC is prioritizing testing of specimens from children with severe respiratory illness. There are likely many children affected with milder forms of illness. Of the specimens tested by the CDC lab, about half have tested positive for EV-D68. About one third have tested positive for an enterovirus or rhinovirus other than EV-D68. See map of states with lab-confirmed EV-D68 infections for more information.
Almost all the confirmed cases this year of EV-D68 infection have been among children. Many of the children had asthma or a history of wheezing.
EV-D68 has been detected in specimens from four* patients who died and had samples submitted for testing. The role that EV-D68 infection played in these deaths is unclear at this time; state and local health departments are continuing to investigate.
Courtesy CDC
