[An epidemic in a maternity unit caused by an echo virus 11 variant (author's transl)].

In October 1978, a 6 day-old child became ill in a maternity ward and died with clinical signs of septicemia. In quick succession, 6 other children fell ill with aseptic meningitis, 5 within the first 10 days post partum and one child 4 weeks old. From these 6 children virus was isolated at different times and from various sites (CSF, pharynx, rectum). 25 isolates were obtained. By cross-neutralization an antigenic variant of Echo virus 11 was identified. Since further isolations were unsuccessful the route of infection was reconstructed from environmental investigation and clinical and serological data in 49 people. A laboratory infection with the agent isolated gave additional opportunities for detailed virological and clinical observations.