As the number of confirmed Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) cases grow now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have implemented a new, faster “real-time” reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, or rRT-PCR test, the federal health agency is now breaking down the level of activity state by state.

Currently, they report eight states with “elevated” EV-D68 activity–California, Washington, Utah, North Dakota, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire.

Four other states show increasing levels of virus activity– Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia and South Carolina.

The CDC says state assessments are based on data that are currently available, which may include laboratory test results for EV-D68 and other enteroviruses and rhinoviruses, emergency department visits by patients who had respiratory illnesses similar to those caused by EV-D68 infection, and reports from doctors and healthcare facilities.

From mid-August to October 16, 2014, CDC or state public health laboratories have confirmed a total of 796 people from 46 states and the District of Columbia with respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page