Rotavirus Surveillance in Urban and Rural Areas of Niger, April 2010–March 2012

• Main Authors: Anne-Laure Page, Viviane Jusot, Abdoul-Aziz Mamaty, Lagare Adamou, Jérôme Kaplon, Pierre Pothier, Ali Djibo, Mahamane L. Manzo, Brahima Toure, Céline Langendorf, Jean-Marc Collard, Rebecca F. Grais
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2014-04-01
• Series: Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: rotavirus; genotyping; diarrheal diseases; Niger; developing countries; malnutrition
• Online Access: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/20/4/13-1328_article
• ISSN: 1080-6040; 1080-6059

Knowledge of rotavirus epidemiology is necessary to make informed decisions about vaccine introduction and to evaluate vaccine impact. During April 2010–March 2012, rotavirus surveillance was conducted among 9,745 children <5 years of age in 14 hospitals/health centers in Niger, where rotavirus vaccine has not been introduced. Study participants had acute watery diarrhea and moderate to severe dehydration, and 20% of the children were enrolled in a nutrition program. Of the 9,745 children, 30.6% were rotavirus positive. Genotyping of a subset of positive samples showed a variety of genotypes during the first year, although G2P[4] predominated. G12 genotypes, including G12P[8], which has emerged as a predominant strain in western Africa, represented >80% of isolates during the second year. Hospitalization and death rates and severe dehydration among rotavirus case-patients did not differ during the 2 years. The emergence of G12P[8] warrants close attention to the characteristics of associated epidemics and possible prevention measures.