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Laboratory-based surveillance for rotavirus--United States, July 1997-June 1998
Insights
Rotavirus causes severe gastroenteritis in young children, leading to significant healthcare costs. Surveillance data from the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) is crucial for the new rotavirus vaccine program.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Rotavirus is a primary cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children globally.
- In the US, rotavirus results in millions of cases, hundreds of thousands of clinic visits, and tens of thousands of hospitalizations annually.
- The substantial disease burden and associated costs have driven the development of rotavirus vaccines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize rotavirus surveillance data from the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) for the 1997-1998 season.
- To review surveillance issues pertinent to a national rotavirus vaccine program.
Main Methods:
- Prospective monitoring of rotavirus activity in the United States since 1991.
- Utilized the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS), a voluntary, laboratory-based surveillance system.
Main Results:
- Surveillance data from the 1997-1998 rotavirus season was analyzed.
- Key issues related to rotavirus surveillance were reviewed in the context of vaccine implementation.
Conclusions:
- The first live attenuated rotavirus vaccine, Rotashield, was approved in August 1998.
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended a three-dose vaccination schedule for infants.
- Effective rotavirus surveillance is essential for the success of a national rotavirus vaccine program.
Abstract:
Rotavirus infections are the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis among infants and young children worldwide. Each year in the United States, rotavirus causes an estimated 2.7 million cases of gastroenteritis among children aged <5 years, resulting in approximately 500,000 outpatient clinic and emergency department visits and 49,000 hospitalizations. In addition, rotavirus accounts for an estimated $264 million in health-care costs and approximately $1 billion in total medical and nonmedical costs. The large disease burden and cost associated with rotavirus have led to the development of rotavirus vaccines. In August 1998, the first live attenuated rotavirus vaccine (Rotashield [Wyeth Lederle Vaccines and Pediatrics]) was approved for use in infants by the Food and Drug Administration. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that this vaccine be given as a three-dose schedule to infants aged 2, 4, and 6 months. Since 1991, rotavirus activity in the United States has been prospectively monitored by the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS), a voluntary, laboratory-based system. This report summarizes surveillance data from NREVSS during the 1997-1998 rotavirus season and reviews issues related to rotavirus surveillance that are important for a national rotavirus vaccine program.