In 2018, a cluster of pediatric human parechovirus (HPeV) infections in 2 neighboring German hospitals was detected. Viral protein 1 sequence analysis demonstrated co-circulation of different HPeV-3 sublineages and of HPeV-1 and -5 strains, thereby excluding a nosocomial outbreak. Our findings underline the need for HPeV diagnostics and sequence analysis for outbreak investigations.
Keywords: Germany; VP1 sequence; outbreak; parechovirus; pediatric; phylogeny; surveillance; upsurge; viral protein 1 sequence; viruses.