Coxsackievirus B epidemic at a boys' camp
G. M. Schiff
An epidemic of coxsackievirus B2 infections occured at a boys summer camp.
The resulting illness was characterized by malaise, headache, muscle pain,
and high fever that persisted for four to six days. The boy in the index
case arrived at the camp the first day of the season. The attack rate was
89% among campers and 47% among counselors. The spread of infections
appeared to be on a person-to-person basis and in a disorderly fashion.
Unusual features of the epidemic included the high attack rate, restriction
of infection to the camp residents, and evidence of prolonged pharyngeal
viral shedding. Conditions at camps are ripe for similar epidemic and the
potential problem is greater than is generally realized.
