Rotavirus

Preventing Rotavirus Disease in the Asia-Pacific Region

The consensus statement, released Nov. 14, is the first of its kind in Asia. It is the product of the inaugural Rotavirus Metaforum held in Bangkok Nov. 13-14 (view proceedings, PDF, 1.2 MB).

"Universal vaccination programs have the potential to prevent 109,000 deaths in the region, 1.4 million hospitalizations and 7.7 million outpatient visits, not to mention relieving families of the physical, emotional and financial strain that rotavirus disease causes," said Professor Lulu Bravo, a co-chair of the Metaforum.

Forty-four delegates from 16 countries participated in the gathering, including 17 representatives from Ministries of Health in the region. They heard from experts in disease and surveillance about the impact of rotavirus disease in Asia.

Sixty-one percent of delegates indicated they would support the introduction of a publicly-funded universal childhood rotavirus vaccination program in their country, with 59 percent indicating that this should happen within the next two years.

Janet Robinson, FHI's director of research for the Asia Pacific region, said, "Delegates worked hard to develop these actionable steps that aim to address the devastating impact that rotavirus infection can have on children and their families and the significant burden it places on the health system."

Participating organizations included the Chinese University of Hong Kong; the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research; GAVI Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation); ministries of health in Asian countries; pediatric hospitals and health centers in Europe, Asia, Chile and the United States; and pharmaceutical companies Merck Sharp & Dohme and GlaxoSmithKline. At the close of the gathering, Professor Somsak Lolekha, a forum co-chair, thanked delegates for their role in connecting health experts, clinicians and policymakers to make a difference for children, families and communities in the region.

About Rotavirus Disease
Rotavirus infections are the single greatest cause of diarrhea-related deaths among children, causing an estimated 611,000 deaths in infants and young children worldwide each year. The sudden onset of symptoms causes the health of children with rotavirus to decline rapidly, resulting in a high number of infants requiring hospital treatment.

The impact of rotavirus infection in Asia is great. It is estimated that every year:

• 171,000 children under 5 years of age will die of rotavirus infections
• 1.9 million children will be admitted to hospitals for rotavirus gastroenteritis
• 13.5 million children will visit hospital outpatient clinics with rotavirus infections
• The medical cost of rotavirus disease will be US$191 million

PHOTO: cropped from image by F.P. Williams, U.S. EPA