An outbreak of adenovirus type 3 disease at a private recreation center swimming pool

In the period June 6--July 24, 1977, and outbreak of illness due to adenovirus type 3 (AV3) occurred in residents of a suburban community (Community A), Dekalb County, Georgia. Based on surveys, at least 105 cases occurred. The illness was primarily characterized by sore throat, fever, headache, and anorexia. Conjunctivitis affected only 34 of 105 (32%) of the individuals in two surveys. Frequent use of a private swimming pool was associated with illness in Community A residents. The outbreak coincided with a temporary defect in the pool filtration system which probably prevented maintenance of proper chlorine levels in the pool water, and suggested that the infection was spread by pool water. However, the predominant mode of transmission could not be shown conclusively to be waterborn rather than person-to-person.