Enterovirus D68 – The New Polio?

• Main Authors: Hayley Cassidy, Randy Poelman, Marjolein Knoester, Coretta C. Van Leer-Buter, Hubert G. M. Niesters
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2018-11-01
• Series: Frontiers in Microbiology
• Subjects: Enterovirus D68; emerging; pathogenicity; surveillance; outbreak response
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb.2018.02677/full

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has emerged over the recent years, with large outbreaks worldwide. Increased occurrence has coincided with improved clinical awareness and surveillance of non-polio enteroviruses. Studies showing its neurotropic nature and the change in pathogenicity have established EV-D68 as a probable cause of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM). The EV-D68 storyline shows many similarities with poliovirus a century ago, stimulating discussion whether EV-D68 could be ascertaining itself as the “new polio.” Increasing awareness amongst clinicians, incorporating proper diagnostics and integrating EV-D68 into accessible surveillance systems in a way that promotes data sharing, will be essential to reveal the burden of disease. This will be a necessary step in preventing EV-D68 from becoming a threat to public health.