One virus catching attention is enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) 🦠 — a rare but serious infection that can lead to a polio-like illness 🧠 in young children. Recently detected in Santa Clara, San Jose, and Santa Rosa 🧪, it’s showing up in wastewater data 🚰, which often signals a rise in community transmission.
🧬 1- What is EV-D68?
EV-D68 is a respiratory virus that mostly feels like a cold 🤧 for adults — sniffles, coughs, that sort of thing. But for kids, especially those with asthma 💨, it can become dangerous ⚠️. In rare cases, it may lead to Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) 🦵💥, a neurological condition that causes sudden weakness or even paralysis.
💉 No vaccine exists for EV-D68, so prevention is key 🔐.
📈 2- Why now?
Experts say this spike 📊 is happening because more people are now immune to COVID-19, but haven’t been exposed to other viruses 🧫 like the flu or EV-D68 for a few years — meaning we’re all a bit more vulnerable right now 🛡️⬇️.
Flu cases 🤒 are also up, especially influenza B, which tends to hit after the main flu season. Even though numbers are slowly dropping ⬇️, the virus is still active across the region 🌍.
✅ 3- How to Stay Safe
🛑 Stay home when you or your child feels sick
🚫 Avoid close contact with anyone showing cold or flu symptoms
💨 Ventilate indoor spaces well when gathering
🧼 Wash hands frequently
💉 Get your flu shot — it’s still one of the best tools we have
💬 "While COVID is quieter, other viruses are stepping in. We’re seeing a lot of flu and EV-D68, especially among children," said Dr. Monica Gandhi of UCSF.
No need to panic 😮💨 — but now’s a good time to be a little extra careful 🫶, especially with little ones 🐣.
🔎 Source: Article based on reports from SFGATE and expert insights from UCSF and UC Berkeley School of Public Health.
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