Fatal echovirus 11 infections in outbreak in special-care baby unit.

In December, 1977, an outbreak of echovirus 11 infection occurred in the special-care baby unit of the Cambridge Maternity Hospital. 3 neonates died, and of 24 infants on the ward during the epidemic 6 others were infected, 3 with symptoms. 3 infants had similar symptoms but virus could not be isolated. The pathological changes in the 3 fatal infections, have not previously been reported for echovirus 11; nor have fatal infections occurred in an epidemic in a special-care baby unit.