The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians and public health departments that parechovirus (PeV) is currently circulating in the United States. Health Advisories provide important information for a specific incident or situation and may not require immediate action.

Symptoms such as upper respiratory tract infection, fever, and rash are common in children between six months and five years, with most children having been infected by the time they start kindergarten. However, in infants less than three months, severe illness can occur, including sepsis-like illness, seizures, and meningitis or meningoencephalitis, particularly in infants younger than one month. Upon examination, the spinal fluid in infants with PeV often has few to no white blood cells. Long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes can occur, although this is rare.

There is no specific treatment for PeV infection. However, diagnosing PeV in infants might change management strategies and provide important health information for families.

• Use Contact, Droplet, and Standard Precautions.
• Be aware that PeVs circulate in the summer and fall.
• Become familiar with specimen collection, storage, and shipping procedures.

Read more on the CDC website – Human Parechovirus Health Advisory.