Rotavirus - Diseases and Vaccines

Immunisation
Rotavirus

Virus
Rotavirus is a highly infectious virus of the gut. The spectrum of illness ranges from mild, watery diarrhoea of limited duration to severe, dehydrating diarrhoea with vomiting, fever, and shock.

Worldwide rotavirus kills more infants and young children than any other infectious disease. 90% of New Zealand children will get rotavirus by the age of 3 years. Rotavirus is responsible for 25-50% of gastroenteritis in New Zealand. Adults can become infected but most will have no symptoms.

How it is spread
The virus is spread from person to person through the faecal-oral route, e.g. from not washing hands when going to the toilet and then eating food or putting your fingers into your mouth. The virus is quite stable in the environment so contamination of hands, hard surfaces, toys, utensils and other objects is relatively easy,

Symptoms and illness
Symptoms include the sudden onset of vomiting and watery diarrhea which can last from three to eight days. Fever and abdominal pain may also occur. Dehydration can be very severe and may cause death if untreated.

Confirmation of rotavirus infection can only be made by laboratory testing of faecal specimens.

Severe risks associated with rotavirus

Children may become dehydrated from diarrhoea and require hospital admission. In less developed countries children may die from rotavirus infection. This is extremely rare in New Zealand.

Severe risks associated with the vaccine

There is no evidence of moderate or serious reactions to the vaccine.

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Page last updated: 13 June 2008