Outbreak of echovirus 30 meningitis in Wingecarribee Shire, New South Wales

An outbreak of aseptic meningitis due to echovirus 30 occurred in the Wingecarribee Shire, NSW, during October to November 1994, with 30 cases fitting the clinical case definition. Cases were ascertained from attendees of the local hospital. Medical files were reviewed and a standard questionnaire administered. Viral cultures were performed on CSF, throat swabs and stool specimens. The clinical presentation and laboratory findings were typical of viral meningitis. Cases were aged 8 months to 51 years; 26 were admitted to hospital. Headache was present in 93%, photophobia in 86%, vomiting in 69%, fever in 72%, and neck stiffness in 62%. In spite of temporal clustering, the mode(s) of transmission in this outbreak remain speculative. Although the route of transmission was not established, general hygiene measures to stop transmission were implemented when a common water source was excluded on epidemiological grounds.