More about rotavirus

This page provides links to PATH's work on rotavirus and information about the disease and related vaccines.

On PATH's websites

• Accelerating access to rotavirus vaccines.
  
• Investigating ways to improve the performance of currently available rotavirus vaccines.
• Developing new, live attenuated vaccines against rotavirus.
• Evaluating alternative non-replicating rotavirus vaccine candidates.
• Raising awareness about simple solutions to defeat diarrheal disease, including rotavirus vaccines.

Rotavirus disease

• Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrheal disease in children worldwide and accounts for 37 percent of the 760,000 global child deaths attributable to diarrhea. Ninety-five percent of these deaths occur in developing countries.
• Rotavirus is found in all countries. Regardless of hygiene practices or access to clean water, nearly every child in the world is at risk of infection with rotavirus before age three.
• In young children, rotavirus disease is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and severe dehydration. In fatal cases, death is caused by severe dehydration due to rotavirus infection.
• Rotavirus disease cannot be treated with antibiotics or other drugs. Rehydration therapy is an important part of treating dehydration due to diarrheal diseases, including rotavirus.
• Vaccination offers the best hope for preventing severe rotavirus illness, particularly in settings where access to medical care is limited.

Rotavirus vaccines

• There are two currently licensed vaccines against rotavirus: Merck’s RotaTeq® and GlaxoSmithKline’s Rotarix®. Studies of these vaccines have demonstrated their safety and efficacy among children in every region of the world. Safety and efficacy trials in Africa and Asia found that the vaccines dramatically reduced severe disease among infants in developing countries, where the majority of rotavirus deaths occur. Results from these trials are essential to national governments as they make informed decisions about introducing rotavirus vaccines into the public sector.
• In 2009, the World Health Organization recommended that rotavirus vaccines be included in every country’s immunization program.
• Where they have been introduced, rotavirus vaccines are making a major impact—slashing hospitalizations due to rotavirus, while also reducing hospitalizations for diarrhea of any cause. Rotavirus is less prevalent among unvaccinated children, as well, suggesting herd immunity as an indirect result of rotavirus vaccine introduction.
• While current manufacturers play an important role in meeting the global demand for the existing vaccines, additional vaccine options and manufacturers are critical to ensuring a sustainable, affordable supply. Several manufacturers are developing rotavirus vaccines, including many from developing countries.
• Rotavirus vaccines are an important part of an integrated prevention and treatment strategy to control diarrheal disease. Other elements of this strategy include low-osmolarity oral rehydration solution; zinc supplementation, exclusive breastfeeding, proper nutrition, and safe water.

Related diseases

Diarrheal disease is a leading cause of death in children in developing countries. In addition to rotavirus, there are many other pathogens that contribute to morbidity and mortality from diarrheal disease, including Shigella and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), the leading bacterial causes of diarrhea. Learn more about Shigella and ETEC.

References

• Armah GE, Sow SO, Breiman RF, et al. Efficacy of Pentavalent Rotavirus Vaccine Against Severe Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Infants in Developing Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
• Madhi SA, Cunliffe NA, Steele D, et al. Effect of Human Rotavirus Vaccine on Severe Diarrhea in African Infants.
• Parashar UD, Gibson C, Bresee J, Glass R. Rotavirus and Severe Childhood Diarrhea.
• Patel MM, Parashar US, eds. Real World Impact of Rotavirus Vaccination.
• Ruiz-Palacios G, Pérez-Schael I, Velázquez F, et al. Safety and Efficacy of an Attenuated Vaccine Against Severe Rotavirus Gastroenteritis.
• Tate JE, Burton AH, Boschi-Pinto C, Steele AD, Duque J, Parashar UD. 2008 Estimate of Worldwide Rotavirus-Associated Mortality in Children Younger than 5 Years Before the Introduction of Universal Rotavirus Vaccination Programmes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
• United Nations Children's Fund. Committing to Child Survival: A Promise Renewed - Progress Report 2012.
• Vesikari T, Matson D, Dennehy P, et al. Safety and Efficacy of a Pentavalent Human-Bovine (WC3) Reassortant Rotavirus Vaccine.
• World Health Organization. Rotavirus Vaccines: An Update - WHO Position Paper.
• Zaman K, Dang DA, Victor JC, et al. Efficacy of Pentavalent Rotavirus Vaccine Against Severe Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Infants in Developing Countries in Asia: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Page last updated: November 2012.