Detection of viruses and body fluids which may contain viruses in the domestic environment.

Enteroviral RNA, indicating the presence of virus, was detected in samples from households. Where enteroviral RNA was found on a tap handle, illness had been reported 2 weeks prior to sampling and where a positive result was obtained from the toilet bowl, 2 of 3 children were ill at the time of sampling. This work demonstrates that tests for bacteria and ATP may not give a total view of the microbiological problem in the home. Epidemiology and Infection 1998;121:673-680.