Why in news?
- Vaccination of 20 lakh children in Maharashtra against rotavirus.
More in News
- From now onwards rotavirus vaccine will now be part of the regular vaccination programme in the state.
- The children up to one year will be given this vaccine in the sixth, 10th, and 14th week.
- Training is also imparted to health workers, officers, employees, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi sevikas to help tackle the disease.
- Annually, 3.34 lakh children succumb to diarrhoeal diseases in India, of which close to one lakh die of rotavirus diarrhoea.
About Rotavirus
- The name “Rota” is a Latin word meaning wheels.
- The rotavirus is a member of the Reoviridaefamily of viruses.
- Rotavirus most commonly infects infants and children and is highly contagious.
- The virus is easily spread causing inflammationin the stomach and intestines.
- What are its Symptoms
- How does rotavirus spread
- Fecal-oral route of transmission.
- Children can transmit the virus when they forget to wash their hands before eating or after using the toilet.
- Touching a surface contaminated with rotavirus and then touching the mouth area can result in infection.
- While there are medications to help with the symptoms, there is no medicine that can cure rotavirus.
Source
The Hindu