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Published on: January 28, 2019
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Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program: Annual Report, 2019
Sarah Thomas1, Celeste M Donato1, Susie Roczo-Farkas1
1Enteric Diseases Group, MCRI.
Communicable Diseases Intelligence (2018)
|February 12, 2021
Summary
In 2019, G3P[8] was the dominant wild-type rotavirus genotype in Australia, identified in 46.7% of cases. Continuous surveillance is crucial to monitor the impact of the updated National Immunisation Program rotavirus vaccine schedule.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children globally.
- Australia's National Immunisation Program (NIP) transitioned to Rotarix exclusively in July 2017.
- Understanding rotavirus genotype distribution is vital for vaccine effectiveness and public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize rotavirus genotypes circulating in Australia in 2019.
- To assess the prevalence of wild-type and vaccine-like rotavirus strains.
- To provide data for evaluating the impact of the NIP vaccine schedule change.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 964 faecal specimens collected between January 1 and December 31, 2019.
- G- and P-genotyping of rotavirus strains using molecular methods.
- Distinguishing between wild-type and vaccine-like rotavirus genotypes.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was confirmed in 894 (92.7%) of the 964 specimens.
- G3P[8] was the predominant wild-type genotype (46.7%), followed by G2P[4] (8.8%).
- 169 (17.8%) of confirmed rotavirus strains were identified as vaccine-like.
Conclusions:
- G3P[8] is the dominant rotavirus genotype in Australia.
- Ongoing surveillance is essential to monitor genotype shifts post-NIP vaccine schedule change.
- Data supports the continued assessment of rotavirus vaccine impact on public health.
