Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) isn’t new — it was first identified in California in 1962. Over the last several months, however, an outbreak of EV-D68 infection has spread throughout many parts of the US. This year's outbreak includes a new type of enterovirus that has been linked to many cases of unusually severe respiratory disease in children. Symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, body aches and fatigue. While most cases have been mild, the virus has also led to severe symptoms like difficulty breathing and wheezing in some children. These severe cases usually require hospitalization, especially if the patient has trouble breathing. The CDC is currently looking into whether the virus is tied to other neurological symptoms that include muscle weakness and paralysis.
