Risks of non-polio enterovirus infections

Learn about the risks of non-polio enterovirus infections and who is most at risk.

What are the risks of getting a non-polio enterovirus infection?

Anyone can get sick with non-polio enterovirus. In Canada, your risk of getting sick usually occurs in the summer and fall.

However, infants, children and teenagers are more likely to become ill. This is because they may not have been exposed to the virus before. Their immune systems do not yet have the ability to fight the infection.

You have a higher risk of getting sick if you have come in close contact with infected people or surfaces.

Travellers to areas where there is an outbreak of non-polio enterovirus may be at an increased risk of exposure. This is because you may encounter:

• overcrowding
• poor hygiene and sanitation standards
• poor food handling practices