Abstract

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhoea among children. In the countries of European Union 138 million cases of rotavirus enteritis are registered annually, of them 3.6 million cases among children under 5 years of age. Every year rotavirus enteritis causes 231 deaths, 87, 000 hospitalisations and 700, 000 outpatient visits in the EU.
The incubation period of rotavirus disease is approximately two days. The disease is characterized by vomiting and watery diarrhoea for 3–8 days. Immunity after infection is incomplete but repeat infections tend to be less severe. In Estonia, rotavirus enteritis has been registered since 1987. During the period 1991–2000 there were 33.2 cases of rotavirus disease per 100, 000 population. During the period 2000–2005 rotavirus enteritis was diagnosed in 39% of all gastrointestinal infections. In Estonia and in other countries with temperate climate, the disease has a winter seasonal pattern with annual
epidemics occurring from November to April. Higher rate of the illness is noted among infants and young children, most children are infected at 2–3 years of age. Adults can also be infected, although the disease tends to have a mild course.