Abstract
Widespread circulation of human enterovirus 71 was discovered in a prospective study of fecal samples obtained from healthy Norwegian children. Molecular characterization of the virus determined that it belonged to genotype Cl.
Complete sequencing of this strain, HEV71 804/NO/03, revealed differences in the 5'UTR and polymerase with respect to more pathogenic genotypes that may explain its reduced neurovirulence.