[Summer 1997 viral meningitis in children Frankfurt/Main--a discussion of the revised communicable disease control regulation].

According to the current law of preventing infectious diseases in Germany, bacterial as well as aseptic meningitis have to be reported to the health authorities, whereas according to the amendment aseptic meningitis will no longer be notifiable. In Summer 1997, 63 children with aseptic meningitis were reported to the local health authorities of Frankfurt compared with 4 or 5 per year during the preceding years. In 40% enterovirus, resp. ECHO-30 virus could be detected. The local health authorities gave detailed information on the medical relevance as well as necessary hygienic measures to the families and kindergartens. During the same time reports on aseptic meningitis increased to double compared with 1996, with hot spots in 4 defined regions in Bavaria, Hesse and in Northern Germany. According to these data the duty of notification of aseptic meningitis should be maintained, so that health authorities can inform the population and ensure good hygiene methods.