# EV-D68 Virus Rises in Bay Area

> EV-D68 virus, linked to rare polio-like illness, surges in Bay Area wastewater data.
- Title: EV-D68 Virus Rises in Bay Area · Sfgate | Shortify
- Summary: EV-D68 virus, linked to rare polio-like illness, surges in Bay Area wastewater data. EV-D68 virus rates are rising in Bay Area cities, increasing risk of…
- Keywords: ev-d68, bay area, polio-like illness, wastewater data, afm, enterovirus, san francisco, palo alto, napa, san rafael, ucsf, cdc
- Source: Sfgate — https://sfgate.com/bayarea/article/evd68-virus-northern-california-22463452.php
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ev-d68, bay area, polio-like illness, wastewater data, afm, enterovirus, san francisco, palo alto, napa, san rafael, ucsf, cdc
## EV-D68 Virus Rising
Rates of enterovirus D68, a respiratory virus that usually causes mild cold-like symptoms in adults but can lead to rare polio-like illness in small children, are rising in multiple Bay Area cities.
## High EV-D68 Levels
WastewaterSCAN data shows high and rising concentrations of EV-D68 in Palo Alto, Napa, southeast San Francisco, and San Rafael.
## EV-D68 Symptoms
Symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, muscle aches, and can lead to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, or acute flaccid myelitis in vulnerable children.
## AFM Risk
Acute flaccid myelitis, a dangerous neurological condition causing muscle weakness and loss of reflexes, can develop in children weeks after EV-D68 infection.
## Expert Warning
Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious diseases specialist at UCSF, says infants are most at risk for severe EV-D68 complications.
## Public Health Advice
Bay Area residents should get updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines and wash hands to prevent severe EV-D68 illness, especially for high-risk groups.
## Key takeaway

EV-D68 virus rates are rising in Bay Area cities, increasing risk of severe illness in children.