BACKGROUND: In 2011, Sudan became the first low-income country in Africa to introduce a rotavirus vaccine. Prevaccine baseline data on rotavirus disease burden are crucial for monitoring the impact of this new vaccine program. METHODS: We conducted active, hospital-based surveillance for rotavirus disease at 8 regional public hospitals in Sudan using a standard protocol recommended by the World Health Organization for 2 full years immediately preceding vaccine introduction. Cases were children <5 years hospitalized with gastroenteritis, defined as acute onset of 3 or more loose stools or 2 or more episodes of vomiting in a 24-hour period. Stool specimens from cases were tested for rotavirus using a commercially available assay. RESULTS: From June 2009 to May 2011, rotavirus was detected in 3985 (36%) of 10,953 children hospitalized for gastroenteritis, with detection rates ranging from 25% to 48% at the 8 hospitals. Approximately 61% of the rotavirus hospitalizations occurred before 1 year of age and most (91%) occurred before 2 years of age. Rotavirus was detected year-round in Sudan with peaks during March to May and November to December. Applying rotavirus prevalence to national estimates of diarrhea events, we calculated 9800 deaths, 22,800 hospitalizations and 55,400 outpatient visits related to rotavirus per year among children <5 years of age in Sudan. CONCLUSIONS: The high burden of rotavirus disease in Sudan indicates that the recently implemented vaccination program should substantially improve child health in Sudan. This nationwide rotavirus surveillance system will be an important platform for assessing the benefits and value of rotavirus vaccine in a developing country setting.
BACKGROUND: In 2011, Sudan became the first low-income country in Africa to introduce a rotavirus vaccine. Prevaccine baseline data on rotavirus disease burden are crucial for monitoring the impact of this new vaccine program. METHODS: We conducted active, hospital-based surveillance for rotavirus disease at 8 regional public hospitals in Sudan using a standard protocol recommended by the World Health Organization for 2 full years immediately preceding vaccine introduction. Cases were children <5 years hospitalized with gastroenteritis, defined as acute onset of 3 or more loose stools or 2 or more episodes of vomiting in a 24-hour period. Stool specimens from cases were tested for rotavirus using a commercially available assay. RESULTS: From June 2009 to May 2011, rotavirus was detected in 3985 (36%) of 10,953 children hospitalized for gastroenteritis, with detection rates ranging from 25% to 48% at the 8 hospitals. Approximately 61% of the rotavirus hospitalizations occurred before 1 year of age and most (91%) occurred before 2 years of age. Rotavirus was detected year-round in Sudan with peaks during March to May and November to December. Applying rotavirus prevalence to national estimates of diarrhea events, we calculated 9800 deaths, 22,800 hospitalizations and 55,400 outpatient visits related to rotavirus per year among children <5 years of age in Sudan. CONCLUSIONS: The high burden of rotavirus disease in Sudan indicates that the recently implemented vaccination program should substantially improve child health in Sudan. This nationwide rotavirus surveillance system will be an important platform for assessing the benefits and value of rotavirus vaccine in a developing country setting.
Authors: Richard Omore; Sammy Khagayi; Billy Ogwel; Reuben Onkoba; John B Ochieng; Jane Juma; Stephen Munga; Collins Tabu; Sergon Kibet; J Pekka Nuorti; Frank Odhiambo; Jason M Mwenda; Robert F Breiman; Umesh D Parashar; Jacqueline E Tate Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2019-01-11 Impact factor: 3.090
Authors: Angeline Boula; Diane Waku-Kouomou; Mina Njiki Kinkela; Mathew D Esona; Grace Kemajou; David Mekontso; Mapaseka Seheri; Valantine Ngum Ndze; Irene Emah; Serge Ela; Benjamin A Dahl; Marie Kobela; Kathleen F Cavallaro; Georges Alain Etoundi Mballa; Jon R Genstch; Michael D Bowen; Paul Koki Ndombo Journal: Infect Genet Evol Date: 2014-09-16 Impact factor: 4.393
Authors: Mosab A Adam; Ji Wang; Khalid-A Enan; Hongwei Shen; Hao Wang; Abdel R El Hussein; Azza B Musa; Isam M Khidir; Xuejun Ma Journal: Front Microbiol Date: 2018-02-12 Impact factor: 5.640