WASHINGTON (TND) — Enterovirus D68 cases are rising across the nation, according to the nonprofit “WastewaterSCAN“network.

It is a respiratory virus that spreads when someone infected coughs or sneezes. Most people only develop cold like symptoms, but in some rare cases, the virus can lead to a polio-like condition called acute flaccid myelitis.

Along with being an infectious disease physician at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Megan Culler Freeman is also a mom to two young children. The age group is more prone to catching Enterovirus D68.

That they’re pretty constantly covered in snot and don’t have the best skills when it comes to hand washing,” Culler Freeman said.

Culler Freeman said we last saw this virus circulate in a big way in the fall of 2022, and starting around late July of this summer, a rising number of detections were found in nose swabs and wastewater.

“And we’ve seen a steady increase in the amount of this virus circulating in the country,” Culler Freeman said.

Culler Freeman said most people infected either have cold like symptoms or no symptoms at all. But, the virus has been linked to acute flaccid myelitis.

This is a very alarming condition because it can cause previously healthy children to have some paralysis,” said Culler Freeman.

While concerning, Buddy Creech, director of the vaccine research program at Vanderbilt University said acute flaccid myelitis cases are extremely rare.

“Given the vast number of Enterovirus infections that we see, this really is the tip of that iceberg,” Creech said.

So while parents don’t need to be overly worried, he said if you start to notice your child develop any arm or leg weakness you should reach out for help.

Or maybe a limp in the context of a cold, that’s a reason to follow up with a child’s pediatrician or other family provider,” said Creech.

According to the CDC, as of Sept. 3, there have been 13 confirmed cases of acute flaccid myelitis in 10 states.