Aseptic Meningitis Among Members of a High School Football Team

During the period Sept 1 through Oct 1, 1978, an outbreak of enteroviral illness affected 43 (70%) of the 61 members of a high school football team. Thirty-three (54%) had symptoms of aseptic meningitis, a diagnosis confirmed for each of seven players hospitalized. Echovirus 16 was recovered from a throat swab of one hospitalized player and from the CSF of another. Enteroviruses isolated from stool specimens taken after the illness from other ill players and from stool specimens of non-ill team members were also identified as echovirus 16. A survey among students not on the team showed an attack rate for enteroviral-like illness that was half that experienced by team members during the same period. Symptoms reported by nonteam members were less severe. Only 10% had an aseptic meningitis-like syndrome, and none were hospitalized. Membership on the school football team was associated with an increased attack rate of illness and a greater risk for aseptic meningitis developing.