Enteroviruses in Vermont, 1969-1978: An Important Cause of Illness throughout the Year

Enteroviruses continue to play an important role in both epidemic and sporadic febrile diseases. Of the clinical specimens submitted for diagnosis during a 10-year period (1969-1978) at the Medical Center of Vermont Hospital, Burlington, a wide variety of diseases were associated with the isolation of enteroviruses. Among these diseases were aseptic meningitis, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, diarrhea, pleurodynia, myocarditis, herpangia, and fevers. In 1972 a single enterovirus serotype, coxsackievirus B5, WAS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR EPIDEMIC DISEASE. During the other nine years of the study, a variety of enteroviruses were isolated during epidemics. Although epidemics were always seen during the summer and early fall, enteroviruses which may cause sporadic disease were isolated in each of the 12 months. An awareness by both practicing physicians and health officers not only of the epidemic potential of enteroviruses in summer and fall but also throughout the year will aid in the diagnosis and therapy of these illnesses.