An epidemic of encephalitis and meningoencephalitis in children caused by echovirus type 30 in Shanghai.

An outbreak of viral central nervous system infection occurred from May to September, 1991 in Shanghai, China. Totally 376 cases were admitted into our hospital, 54% with encephalitis and 46% with meningoencephalitis. Echovirus type 30 was isolated from CSF and stools of the patients. Only 3 of the patients were under 1 year of age. CSF examination revealed the cell count from 0-1600 x 10(6)/L. Interestingly, 9 had CSF PMNs over 90% and 13 had low sugar levels. EKG was randomly done in 20 patients and 15 demonstrated myocarditis. The outcome was uneventful in all except 1 who had psychological problem at the time of discharge.