Rotavirus Surveillance

Overview

WHO/AFRO established Regional Rotavirus Surveillance Network (AFRSN) in June 2006 to estimate the burden of rotavirus diarrhea in 5 children and document circulating rotavirus strains in selected countries in Africa to inform decision making on introduction of new rotavirus vaccines.

Globally, rotavirus disease is estimated to cause death of approximately 527,000 young children annually and approximately 85% of these deaths occur in developing countries mainly in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa

15 countries (Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe), . Other countries conducting surveillance supported by other partners include The Gambia, Niger, Mali, Malawi and South Africa.

African Rotavirus Surveillance Network (AFRSN)