Echovirus 30 infection and aseptic meningitis in parents of children attending a child care center.

In July 1992, 13 parents with children attending a child care center (CCC) developed aseptic meningitis (AM) due to echovirus 30 (E30). To determine the extent of illness and risk factors for transmission, survey and blood specimens were collected from CCC families and teachers and from adult and pediatric controls. Infection was defined as the presence of anti-E30 IgM antibodies. CCC parents (60%, 67/111) and children (75%, 79/105) had significantly higher infection rates than did teachers (14%, 3/22), adult controls (24%, 10/41), and pediatric controls (24%, 17/70). Infected CCC parents had more severe illness (18% [12/65] had AM; 11% [7/65] were hospitalized) than did infected CCC children (3% [2/79] had AM and 1% [1/79] were hospitalized). More frequent handwashing among teachers compared with parents and among mothers of toddlers was associated with significantly lower rates of infection (P < or = .05). Education of parents about good handwashing practices may reduce transmission of E30 and other infectious agents from children to adults.