Outbreak of enterovirus 70 conjunctivitis in Bangladesh—1981

Abstract

Between April and July 1981, an outbreak of acute haemorrhagic conjunctiyitis (AHC) occurred in Dacca, Bangladesh. The disease, characterized by redness of the eyes, discharge, foreign body sensation and subconjunctival haemorrhage, spread rapidly, affecting 63% of the 135 family members of 28 index patients studied. Enterovirus 70 (EV) 70) was isolated from one of 19 conjunctival swabs tested. This is one of the few reports documenting the isolation of EV 70 during the recent pandemic of AHC.