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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 May 15;229(5):1470-1480.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiad500.

Epidemiology of Rotavirus in Humans, Animals, and the Environment in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Hermann Landry Munshili Njifon  1 , Sebastien Kenmoe  2 , Sharia M Ahmed  3 , Guy Roussel Takuissu  4 , Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo  5 , Daniel Kamga Njile  6 , Arnol Bowo-Ngandji  7 , Donatien Serge Mbaga  7 , Cyprien Kengne-Nde  8 , Mohamed Moctar Mouliom Mouiche  9 , Richard Njouom  6 , Ronald Perraut  1 , Daniel T Leung  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Epidemiology of Rotavirus in Humans, Animals, and the Environment in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Hermann Landry Munshili Njifon et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Globally, rotavirus infections are the most common cause of diarrhea-related deaths, especially among children under 5 years of age. This virus can be transmitted through the fecal-oral route, although zoonotic and environmental contributions to transmission are poorly defined. The purpose of this study is to determine the epidemiology of rotavirus in humans, animals, and the environment in Africa, as well as the impact of vaccination.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Africa Index Medicus, and African Journal Online, identifying 240 prevalence data points from 224 articles between 2009 and 2022.

Results: Human rotavirus prevalence among patients with gastroenteritis was 29.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 28.1%-31.5%; 238 710 participants), with similar estimates in children under 5 years of age, and an estimated case fatality rate of 1.2% (95% CI, .7%-2.0%; 10 440 participants). Prevalence was estimated to be 15.4% and 6.1% in patients with nongastroenteritis illnesses and apparently healthy individuals, respectively. Among animals, prevalence was 9.3% (95% CI, 5.7%-13.7%; 6115 animals), and in the environmental water sources, prevalence was 31.4% (95% CI, 17.7%-46.9%; 2530 samples).

Discussion: Our findings highlight the significant burden of rotavirus infection in Africa, and underscore the need for a One Health approach to limiting the spread of this disease.

Keywords: Africa; animals; environment; humans; prevalence; rotavirus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential conflicts of interest . All authors: No reported conflicts. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Case fatality rate estimates of rotavirus infections in humans in Africa, 2009–2022. Full citations to studies cited are found in Supplemental Materials Additional References.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Pooled prevalence of rotavirus in humans in Africa, 2009–2022.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Pooled prevalence of rotavirus in animals in Africa, 2009–2022.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Pooled prevalence of rotavirus in environment in Africa, 2009–2022. Full citations to studies cited are found in Supplemental Materials Additional References.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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