Are echoviruses still orphans?

A review of some of the outbreaks of disease caused by echoviruses demonstrates their ability to cause significant morbidity and mortality world-wide. There are now 30 recognised echovirus serotypes; several of the original serotypes have been re-classified. More recently, echovirus 22 has been shown to have significant molecular differences from other types and unusual epidemiological features. Echovirus types 7, 11, 19 and 30 have been associated with significant outbreaks in neonatal units and echovirus types 9, 16 and 25 are more frequently associated with exanthem. Echovirus type 3, although relatively uncommon in the UK, was associated with large outbreaks in China. Since the decline in poliomyelitis, the increase in reports of non-polio enteroviruses has revealed a corresponding increase in associated cases of myalgic encephalomyelitis and post-viral fatigue syndrome.