The epidemiology of human rotavirus associated with diarrhoea in Kenyan children: A review

Nicholas M. Kiulia, Rose Kamenwa, Grace Irimu, James O. Nyangao, Zipporah Gatheru, Atunga Nyachieo, Andrew D. Steele, Jason M. Mwenda*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Rotavirus gastroenteritis still remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among young children in developing countries, with ∼150 000-200 000 deaths occurring annually in sub-Saharan Africa. We reviewed papers published over the last 30 years on the epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhoea among the hospitalized and out-patient children in Kenya. The analysis shows rotavirus prevalence of 6-56% with diarrhoea occurring throughout the year and generally exhibiting distinct peaks during the dry months. Among the common genotype, G1 was the most predominant up to the year 2002 but more recently there has been an emergence of genotype G9 as the most predominant genotype and to a less extent G8. It is important to continue rotavirus surveillance in Kenya to determine accurately the burden of rotavirus disease and the emerging new genotypes. This will assist policy makers in decision making on rotavirus vaccine introduction and determining the impact of the vaccine.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)401-405
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Tropical Pediatrics
Volume54
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Genotypes
  • Rotavirus
  • Vaccine

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