A group of physicians is advising the public to vaccinate their babies against rotavirus, the most common diarrheal illness associated with hospitalization.
“At present, more than 500 to 600 children need to be hospitalized annually,” said Robert Bortolussi, chair of the Canadian Pediatric Society’s Infectious Disease and Immunization Committee.
The group said all children will experience at least one episode of rotavirus infection by five years of age, with about 14 percent of them seeing a health professional or visiting a hospital.
The virus, which spreads by the fecal-oral route or indirectly by activities such as sharing toys, usually lasts three to eight days and cannot be treated by antibiotics.
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Symptoms include fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Outbreaks in Canada usually occur between February and May.
“The highest risk for severe illness occurs during the first two years of life,” said Bortolussi.
Serious illness can cause dehydration but it seldom results in death in Canada. However, it is estimated that more than 600,000 children die from rotavirus-related disease in the developing world every year.
The pediatric society recommends parents have their babies vaccinated against rotavirus at the same time they get their other regular immunizations.
Two vaccines are approved for use in Canada. They are given orally in two or three doses starting at six weeks of age and ending no later than eight months.
“Both vaccine preparations are about 98 percent effective in preventing severe illness that might otherwise lead to hospitalization,” said Bortolussi.
The organization is calling for public funding of the vaccines, which are not covered by provincial or territorial health plans.
For more information, visit www.rotavirus.ca.
