The coxsackievirus A24 variant was implicated in four of six major acu
te hemorrhagic conjunctivitis outbreaks in Singapore since its discove
ry in 1970. Hela cell suspension in 24-well flat-bottom tissue culture
plates was a satisfactory alternative to monolayer cells grown in tes
t tubes for virus isolation. Respiratory illness occurred in 20 of 98
patients with acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. Apart from conjunctiva
l secretions, respiratory and oral transmission of coxsackievirus A24
variant would explain the rapid and extensive spread of acute hemorrha
gic conjunctivitis during an outbreak.