EUROPE/PORTUGAL - In Lisbon 7th International Symposium on the Rotavirus assesses progress and identifies ways to stop spreading virus which puts over two million people in hospital every year

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - The impact of infection by the rotavirus, particularly among children in the first year of life, is enormous. The figures are shocking: 600,000 child victims in poor countries, about 50 children die every year in the United State; in Italy the virus kills about 10 children every year (about 30 die of gastro-enteritis in general) and over two million people are admitted to hospital every year in the world, including 87,000 in Europe and about 5,000 in Italy. In France alone the economic impact of the disease is about 28 million Euro annually.
The virus mutates and is highly contagious: more than 80% of children up to two years come into contact with it developing gastro-enteritis with abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, diarrhoea and dehydration (95% under five).
The rotavirus lives at length in water and on objects and hands, the first vehicle of transmission to the child’s mouth. Although the best sanitary measures cannot eliminate it, they can prevent it from spreading. The only effective means to fight it is a vaccine. At the 7th International Symposium taking place in Lisbon, a vaccine has been presented containing 5 strains of virus and said to prevent 98% of serious gastro-enteritis . (AP) (14/6/2006 Agenzia Fides; Righe:20; Parole:254)