CDC Warns of Increased Respiratory Virus Among Children That Can Cause Polio-Like Paralysis
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an official advisory warning of a recent rise in the number of children hospitalized with a respiratory illness that can cause a serious neurologic condition that weakens muscles and reflexes.According to reports to the CDC in August from healthcare providers and hospitals from around the United States, these pediatric patients tested positive for rhinovirus or enterovirus, including enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). Pediatric acute respiratory illness sentinel surveillance sites have also reported a higher proportion of children with EV-D68 positivity compared with previous years.Data analysis from NBC News found that there were 84 EV-D68 cases from March through August 4. By comparison, the CDC identified six such cases in 2019, 30 in 2020, and 16 in 2021. EV-D68 has been reported in 40 states…