Escherichia coli gastro-enteritis in a military hospital.

EPIDEMIC infantile gastro-enteritis due to the specific serological types of Escherichia coli is the most infectious disease that is regularly admitted to hospitals in England, and there are at present no successful methods of preventing crossinfection by these organisms (Rogers, 1956). Jameson, Mann & Rothfield (1954) describe a large outbreak in which control was only achieved by complete closure of an infected ward. This paper describes a small outbreak which originated in a military hospital. E. coli serotype 0.26 (not previously found in the area) was isolated from three cases and two symptomless excreters. Control was achieved by closure of the infected ward, although the adjacent maternity unit having the same staff was kept open. The purpose of this paper isto draw attention to an infection unusual in military hospitals and to describe control measures thought to be successful.