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Dubai: Some ten children, including two teenagers, and their parents have been taken ill with a common infection affecting young children, but health officials said there was no need to worry.
Rotavirus, a viral infection that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, is transmitted primarily through faecal matter to the mouth as well as airborne droplets.
It is the leading cause of severe diarrhoeal disease and dehydration in infants and young children throughout the world, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Veronica Burns, a mother of an eight-month-old baby, told Gulf News her daughter was taken ill last Wednesday.
"Luckily, she had mild symptoms - she was vomiting and had diarrhoea but she didn't have a fever," she said.
She said she took her baby to a doctor, who diagnosed a rotavirus infection. She admitted she was also affected, with some diarrhoea.
Later, Burns discovered about 10 of her friends' children, most of them infants, were also infected with the rotavirus.
However, she said there was no common denominator between her and her affected friends, a few she had not met for a while.
"It's hard to trace where [my baby] could have got it. She was in a nursery and the day before she was in a playroom, playing with other kids, doing the same stuff," she said.
Her neighbours, Giulia Zampieri, 15, and her sister, Alessandra, 19, were also infected. They suspect they caught it from the baby.
"I was playing with her on Thursday," said Giulia.
She said she exhibited some mild symptoms on Friday, but only had severe diarrhoea, vomiting and fever on Sunday.
She then passed on the infection to Alessandra, who took ill the following day. Their mother also exhibited some symptoms.
On Tuesday, they all went to the hospital, where doctors confirmed they were infected with the rotavirus. The quick spread of the infection is characteristic of the virus.
However, health officials were not fazed by reports of the cases, saying the UAE's good sanitation and accessible medical care did not make rotavirus a life-threatening disease.
Dr Hakim Yassin, head of paediatrics at the public Al Qasimi Hospital, told Gulf News rotavirus was one of the most common infections affecting young children and could happen anytime.
"Around a third of hospital admissions in the paediatric department is for gastroenteritis, which includes rotavirus," he said, adding most of the patients were under five.
He also said people should take precautions, such as washing hands, to prevent an infection, adding the advice was applicable at all times.
There are no figures on rotavirus infections in the UAE at the disease does not require notification under public health laws.
Rotavirus is a major health concern for developing nations with low access to medical care and poor sanitation.
It's hard to trace where [my baby] could have got it. She was in a nursery and the day before she was in a playroom, playing with other kids, doing the same stuff."
Around a third of hospital admissions in the paediatric department is for gastroenteritis, which includes rotavirus."
Do you know anyone who has been affected by the rotavirus? What steps do you take to ensure hygiene at home? How hygienic do you think your favourite restaurant is? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.
Your comments
Rotavirus infections are most common in children ages 4 months to 24 months particularly those who spend time in child care settings. Older adults and adults caring for young children have an increased risk of infection as well. Rotavirus infections are most common in the winter and spring. To reduce the spread of rotavirus, wash your hands thoroughly and often especially after you use the toilet, change your child's diaper or help your child use the toilet. But even strict hand washing doesn't offer any guarantees. There's no specific treatment for a rotavirus infection. To prevent dehydration while the virus runs it course, drink plenty of fluids. If your child has severe diarrhea, offer an oral rehydration fluid especially if the diarrhea lasts longer than a few days.
Flora
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 15, 2008, 12:01
http://www.rotavirusvaccine.org/
A vaccine is available and I urge parents to insist on this vaccine. I do not understand why they do not make people more aware of the vaccines that are available. I have seen many children infected with this some cases worse than others. Prevention is better than cure.
Maritza
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 15, 2008, 11:36
To prevent infants from getting the Rotavirus I believe there are Vaccinations available. Infants that go to nurseries should get the vaccination.
Claire
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 15, 2008, 09:46
Please make us more aware of the common symptoms caused by rotavirus ,precautions to avoid the infection and the immediate first aid measures to avoid dehydration if unluckily dehydrated then to restore the hydration ,according to WHO (world Health organization).
Abida
Islamabad,Pakistan
Posted: May 15, 2008, 09:34
Rota virus infections, fortunately, are not very common in UAE and if you practice cleanliness and hygiene, you do not need to worry. One very important thing this article has missed out is that there is a vaccine available for Rota virus and one can go to the nearest clinic/hospital to consult a doctor and have themselves vaccinated - specially children.
Mohammed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 15, 2008, 09:33
My son was infected by this and was hospitalized two years back, here in Dubai. first I took him to a private hospital where they gave him medicines to stop motion and vomiting, but it became worst so I took him to Al Wasel hospital and there they confirmed it Rota virus. He was admitted there for almost 1 week, and there was no medicine for this, the virus has to go out of the body through diarrhea
Ashok
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 15, 2008, 09:03
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