Meeting: 10th International Rotavirus Symposium
Bangkok, Thailand
Meeting website: www.rotavirus2012.org

The Sabin Institute said that more than 350 leading scientific, public and private sector experts convened to discuss progress and next steps in reducing the global incidence of rotavirus, the most common cause of diarrheal hospitalizations and deaths among children worldwide. Rotavirus takes the lives of approximately 188,000 Asian children under five each year. Vaccines are the best way to prevent rotavirus because interventions that prevent other forms of diarrhea – including improved hygiene, sanitation and safe drinking water – do not adequately prevent the spread of rotavirus. Combining rotavirus vaccines with other diarrhea protection and treatment methods such as oral rehydration therapy, zinc supplementation, breastfeeding and improved hygiene, sanitation and nutrition can significantly reduce child illnesses and deaths. Dr. Ciro de Quadros, executive vice president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and co-chair of the Rotavirus Organization of Technical Allies (ROTA Council), said, “Rotavirus continues to pose a serious and unnecessary threat to children all over the world because there is insufficient access to existing vaccines. That is why we continue to press for expanded access to safe and effective rotavirus vaccines in order to achieve our ultimate objective of saving lives and reducing illness and needless suffering.” http://www.sabin.org/news-resources/in-news/2012/09/21/experts-convene-address-major-cause-childhood-illness-and-death