Investigation of two suspected diarrhoeal-illness outbreaks in Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa, April–July 2013 : the role of rotavirus

dc.contributor.authorShonhiwa, Andronica Moipone
dc.contributor.authorNtshoe, Genevie M.
dc.contributor.authorCrisp, Noreen
dc.contributor.authorOlowolagba, Ayo J.
dc.contributor.authorMbuthu, Vusi
dc.contributor.authorTaylor, Maureen B.
dc.contributor.authorThomas, Juno
dc.contributor.authorPage, Nicola Anne
dc.date.accessioned2021-09-15T10:02:25Z
dc.date.available2021-09-15T10:02:25Z
dc.date.issued2020-07-22
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND : Suspected diarrhoeal-illness outbreaks affecting mostly children < 5 years were investigated between May and July 2013 in Northern Cape province (NCP) and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. This study describes the epidemiological, environmental and clinical characteristics and diarrhoeal-illnesses causative agent(s). METHODS : A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Cases were patients presenting at healthcare facilities with diarrhoeal-illness between 09 April and 09 July 2013 in NCP and 01 May and 31 July 2013 in KZN. Laboratory investigations were performed on stools and water samples using microscopy, culture and sensitivity screening and molecular assays. RESULTS : A total of 953 cases including six deaths (case fatality rate [CFR]: 0.6%) were recorded in the Northern Cape province outbreak. Children < 5 years accounted for 58% of cases. Enteric viruses were detected in 51% of stools, with rotavirus detected in 43%. The predominant rotavirus strains were G3P[8] (45%) and G9P[8] (42%). Other enteric viruses were detected, with rotavirus co-infections (63%). No enteric pathogens detected in water specimens. KwaZulu-Natal outbreak: A total of 1749 cases including 26 deaths (CFR: 1.5%) were recorded. Children < 5 years accounted for 95% of cases. Rotavirus was detected in 55% of stools; other enteric viruses were detected, mostly as rotavirus co-infections. The predominant rotavirus strains were G2P[4] (54%) and G9P[8] (38%). CONCLUSION : Although source(s) of the outbreaks were not identified, the diarrhoeal-illnesses were community-acquired. It is difficult to attribute the outbreaks to one causative agent(s) because of rotavirus co-infections with other enteric pathogens. While rotavirus was predominant, the outbreaks coincided with the annual rotavirus season.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentMedical Virologyen_ZA
dc.description.departmentSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)en_ZA
dc.description.librarianam2021en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.sajid.co.zaen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationShonhiwa AM, Ntshoe G, Crisp N, et al. Investigation of two suspected diarrhoeal-illness outbreaks in Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa, April–July 2013: The role of rotavirus. Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases 2020;35(1), a159. https://DOI.org/10.4102/sajid.v35i1.159.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn2312-0053 (print)
dc.identifier.issn1213-1810 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.4102/sajid.v35i1.159
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/81856
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherAOSISen_ZA
dc.rights© 2020. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.en_ZA
dc.subjectDiarrhoeal illnessen_ZA
dc.subjectOutbreaken_ZA
dc.subjectRotavirusen_ZA
dc.subjectRotavirus vaccineen_ZA
dc.subjectSouth Africaen_ZA
dc.subjectSouth Africa (SA)en_ZA
dc.titleInvestigation of two suspected diarrhoeal-illness outbreaks in Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa, April–July 2013 : the role of rotavirusen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA

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