Laboratory-based surveillance for rotavirus -- United States, July 1996-June 1997.

Rotavirus infections are the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis among infants and young children worldwide. Each year in the United States, rotavirus infections account for an estimated 3.5 million cases of diarrhea, 500,000 physician visits, 50,000 hospitalizations, and 20 deaths among children aged <5 years. In addition, rotavirus accounts for 30%-50% of U.S. hospitalizations for diarrhea among children aged <5 years, including approximately 50% of hospitalizations for diarrhea during annual seasonal peaks, and is an important cause of nosocomial gastroenteritis. Rotavirus activity in the United States is monitored by the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS), a voluntary, laboratory-based system. This report summarizes surveillance from NREVSS during July 1996-June 1997.