Enteroviruses, members of the picornavirus family, encompass a large group of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses. Enteroviruses have a complex taxonomy, with 12 species in the enterovirus genus and many serotypes of each species. Other picornaviruses include:

• Poliovirus

• Echovirus

• Parechovirus

• Coxsackievirus 

• Rhinovirus

Enteroviruses are quite common and do cause widespread infection in humans. They are associated with many different diseases, especially in infants and young children. 

Poliomyelitis, caused by the enterovirus poliovirus, was of very significant worldwide concern in the past, and still has not been completely eradicated. There are 62 non-polio enteroviruses that can cause disease in humans: 

• 23 Coxsackie A viruses

• 6 Coxsackie B viruses

• 28 echoviruses 

• 5 other enteroviruses

Infections due to enteroviruses develop symptoms and conditions that range from mild respiratory illness (common cold), hand, foot and mouth disease and conjunctivitis, to serious infections such as aseptic meningitis, myocarditis and severe neonatal sepsis-like disease. Enterovirus 71, a causative agent for hand, foot and mouth disease, has been associated with severe central nervous system disease.