Enterovirus 71 Infection: Report of an Outbreak with Two Cases of Paralysis and a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Enterovirus 71 (E-71) infection was first reported in 1974 in the United States; subsequent outbreaks breaks were reported in worldwide distribution. In the summer of 1977, we identified 12 patients, mostly children, with E-71 infection. The striking feature of this outbreak is the occurrence of two cases with polio-like paralytic disease. Other diseases associated with E-71 included aseptic meningitis, meningoencephalitis, respiratory disease, gastroenteritis, and hand-foot-mouth disease. The spectrum of illness observed in our community was compared to that seen in other outbreaks. It is suggested that the significance of E-71 lies in its neuropathogenic potential.