Rates of enterovirus D68, a respiratory virus that can sometimes lead to a polio-like illness and paralysis in children, have risen significantly across the U.S. over the past month, new data show. Nationally, the virus is now being detected at medium ...

D68, a seasonal virus that can -- in rare cases -- cause polio-like symptoms in children. Dr. Kristin Moffitt, an infectious disease specialist at Boston Children's Hospital, explains.

"We are detecting EV-D68 nucleic acids in wastewater across the country now, and the levels are increasing," said Alexandria Boehm, program director of WastewaterSCAN. Historically, September has been the peak month for AFM cases.

( NewsNation) — A poliolike virus that can cause paralysis in children and teens is spiking again, U.S. wastewater data shows.

Enterovirus EV-D68 poses a risk to children in the US with symptoms ranging from mild cold-like issues to severe conditions like paralysis. The virus has been detected in wastewater samples and is linked to acute flaccid myelitis,

EV-D68 is a virus that causes respiratory illness similar to the common cold. The virus sometimes leads to severe breathing issues and outbreaks of neurological disease (acute flaccid myelitis) that causes paralysis.