Rotavirus prevalence and seasonal distribution post vaccine introduction in Nairobi county Kenya

Abstract

Rotaviruses are one of the leading etiological agents of gastroenteritis in young children, for which a monovalent G1P(8) vaccine has been provided for free in Kenyan since July 2014. The main objective was to estimate the post vaccine prevalence and seasonal distribution of rotavirus diarrhea in children less than 5 years in Nairobi County, Kenya. Rotavirus positive samples were collected from children below 5 years of age in two hospitals within Nairobi County where vaccination status was card-confirmed. The children were examined and the demographic and clinical profiles of the children were recorded. Fecal specimens were analyzed for rotavirus antigen using an ELISA kit, followed by characterization by PAGE. Out of the total 323 samples, 49 had detectable rotavirus infection, representing 15.2% prevalence. Age distribution of rotavirus prevalence was as follows: ≤ 6 months-8.5%, 7-12 months-27.4%, 13-24 months - 41.4%, 25-36 months - 16.4% while 36-65 months had 6.3%. Rotavirus diarrhea was more common in wet and cold months of the year, the highest prevalence being observed in August (24.5%), 12.3% in both July and March, while April scored a prevalence of 10.2%. Out of the 49 rotavirus positive children, 48 had vomiting and abdominal cramps while all had fever and watery stool. The prevalence of Rotaviral diarrhea in children less than 5 years in Nairobi County Kenya has greatly reduced following the vaccine introduction and is more common during the wet and cold seasons of the year.

Prevalence and factors associated with rotavirus diarrhea among children aged 3–24 months after the introduction of the vaccine at a referral hospital in Uganda: a cross-sectional study

“…This reflects a possible and expected effectiveness of rotavirus vaccination in reducing the burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis [ 21 ]. The study findings are similar to that observed in Nairobi Kenya (15.2%) 5 years post vaccination rollout [ 22 ]. Possibly due to effectiveness of the rotavirus vaccine 5 years post introduction in both countries.…”

Prevalence and factors associated with rota-virus diarrhea among children aged 3-24 months at a referral hospital in Uganda: A crossectional study

“…This re ects a possible and expected effectiveness of rotavirus vaccination in reducing the burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis (22). The study ndings are similar to that observed in Nairobi Kenya (15.2%) 5 years post vaccination rollout (23). Possibly due to effectiveness of the Rota virus vaccine 5 years post introduction in both countries.…”

Comparative assessment of clinical-paraclinical manifestations of rotavirus infection versus genotypical variety in infants

“…Estimation of 2-dose vaccine effectiveness in Moldova, especially against severe cases at 84% (95CI: 65% to 93%), is largely compatible with that in other countries with low mortality (in the mortality layers A and B of WHO), namely VE is 85% (95CI: 80% to 88%) based on the overall analysis of 8 studies, including >32,000 participants (17,22).…”

“…The major decrease was among vaccinated cohorts children <1 year in the first year and <2 years in the second year after vaccine implementation. In addition, the number of children <5 years old hospitalized with rotavirus decreased significantly, including unvaccinated cohorts, suggesting indirect protection resulting from children's immunization (17).…”