Enterovirus infections
The diagnosis, management and epidemiology of enterovirus infections.
Enteroviruses are a group of viruses that cause a number of infectious illnesses which are usually mild. However if they infect the central nervous system, they can cause serious illnesses like meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis (AFP).
Enteroviruses typically cause mild, self-limiting respiratory infections but in neonates, they can cause serious illnesses, including sepsis, septic shock, meningitis and, rarely, myocarditis. During 2022 and 2023, a small cluster of neonatal enteroviral myocarditis (NEM) was identified in South Wales and the Southwest of England.
The many types of enteroviruses include the viruses that cause polio and hand, foot and mouth disease.
Enteroviruses are most commonly spread by coming into contact with secretions like saliva, sputum or mucus of an infected person, or their faeces.
There are currently no vaccines against non-polio enterovirus infection. Good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand-washing, are essential to reducing the risk of becoming infected.
Epidemiology and surveillance
Diagnosis and management
Laboratory testing
Updates to this page
Last updated 19 May 2023 + show all updates
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Updated to include information on neonatal enteroviral myocarditis (NEM).
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Added infection control and enterovirus strain characterisation documents.
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First published.