More than 100 babies were hospitalized with parechovirus in 2013 and 2014.
One year later, doctors found that many of these babies had developmental problems.
No specific treatment or vaccine is currently available.
According to ASID, babies infected with the virus suffered from symptoms such as seizures, irritability and muscle twitches.
“This is a new virus and we know very little about it. This study is helping improve our understanding of some of the long-term consequences of infection in children and the results are concerning,” said ASID president Prof. Cheryl Jones in a statement.
Parechovirus was identified in Europe just over a decade ago.
However, Australia recently recorded one of the world’s largest outbreaks, starting in Sydney in late 2013.
ASID said over 100 babies were hospitalized in Sydney alone during this outbreak, with 70% of these children suffering from neurological infection.
The new study successfully followed up on 46 out of 79 of the infants, with half of them showing some developmental issues at 12 months.
Nearly 20% of the children had developed significant neurological problems.
“This clearly illustrates just how vitally important it is that we follow up young infants with brain infections from this virus and remain on alert for emerging infectious diseases,” Prof. Cheryl Jones said.
“It also highlights our need to develop an adequate response.
“There is currently no vaccination and no treatment for this virus. And whilst we are not anticipating a global epidemic we can certainly be confident that we will have further outbreaks in Australia.”
Parechovirus is spread by contact with bodily fluids such as airborne droplets of saliva, in the same way as the common cold.
Three Indian nationals have been arrested and charged over the killing of Sikh separatist leader…
President Joe Biden has urged pro-Palestinian protesters on university campuses to uphold the rule of…
Blue Ivy Carter has joined the voice cast of The Lion King prequel Mufasa: The…
At least five people, including a four-month-old baby, have been killed after dozens of tornadoes…
Harvey Weinstein has been hospitalized just days after his 2020 rape conviction in New York…
Hamas has published a video showing the first proof of life of US and Israeli…