Human Enterovirus 68 'Increasingly Recognized' Source of Respiratory Illness

Human enterovirus 68 (HEV68) is an "increasingly recognized cause of respiratory illness," with six clusters noted worldwide from 2008 to 2010, according to an MMWR article.

The clusters were found in the U.S. (Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Arizona), the Philippines, Japan, and the Netherlands. The virus disproportionately affected children and often was associated with wheezing or asthma exacerbations.

The severity of illness varied: Some cases were mild enough to not warrant hospitalization, while others required ICU admission. There were three fatalities (in the Philippines and Japan).

MMWR's editors say that it remains unclear "whether this increase in recognized cases is attributable to improved diagnostics or whether the clusters themselves represent an emergence of the pathogen." Nonetheless, they conclude: "Clinicians should be aware of HEV68 as one of many causes of viral respiratory disease. Clusters of unexplained respiratory illness should be reported to the appropriate public health agency."