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A large infantile gastroenteritis outbreak in Albania caused by multiple emerging rotavirus genotypes

C Villena1, R Gabrieli, R M Pintó

  • 1Virus Enteric Group, Department of Microbiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Epidemiology and Infection
|February 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

An acute gastroenteritis outbreak in Tirane, Albania, affected 982 children, primarily those aged 0-5 years. Waterborne rotavirus strains P[8]G9 and P[8]G3 were identified as the main cause, with co-infections also present.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Virology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • An outbreak of acute gastroenteritis occurred in Tirane, Albania, by December 2000.
  • The outbreak primarily affected children in both urban and rural areas.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cause and characteristics of the acute gastroenteritis outbreak.
  • To identify the etiological agents responsible for the outbreak in children.

Main Methods:

  • Epidemiological surveillance using the 'Alert' system.
  • Clinical data collection from Tirane Hospital.
  • Nucleic acid amplification for viral detection and genotyping.

Main Results:

  • 982 out of 2722 children treated for acute gastroenteritis, with highest morbidity in the 0-5 years age group (89.7%).
  • Waterborne origin suspected due to case distribution along the water system.
  • Rotavirus genotypes P[8]G9 and P[8]G3 confirmed as primary cause.
  • Co-circulation of other enteric viruses including astrovirus, adenovirus, and Norovirus detected.
  • Co-infections with multiple rotavirus genotypes and other enteric viruses were observed.

Conclusions:

  • The outbreak was attributed to waterborne transmission of rotavirus.
  • Multiple rotavirus genotypes and other enteric viruses contributed to the outbreak.
  • Public health interventions are crucial for controlling such outbreaks.

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