Enterovirus

Virus and disease overview

Although most enterovirus infections are asymptomatic, these common viruses can cause a wide range of illnesses affecting different parts of the body, including the respiratory tract (such as sinusitis, ear infections, and bronchiolitis), the digestive system, and even the eyes. They can also lead to more serious diseases of the central nervous system, such as meningitis and encephalitis, particularly in younger people in Europe, where significant outbreaks of viral meningitis are regularly associated with enterovirus infections. Enterovirus transmission follows a seasonal pattern, with a marked increase in cases often seen in late summer and early autumn.

Detection in Wastewater and Public Health Relevance

Infected individuals shed the virus in their stools, making it detectable in wastewater. Monitoring enterovirus levels in wastewater provides public health authorities with early indicators of virus circulation in the community, supporting timely prevention and response efforts, especially for high-risk groups such as children and immunocompromised individuals.