Outbreak of severe rotavirus gastroenteritis among children--Jamaica, 2003

In late May 2003, the Jamaican Ministry of Health (MoH) identified a sharp increase in the number of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases reported throughout the country, accompanied by increases in AGE-associated hospital admissions and deaths among children. The greatest increase in AGE cases was observed among children aged <5 years in the southeastern parish of Kingston and St. Andrew. During June-July, 12 AGE-associated deaths were reported among children aged <8 years. MoH began an investigation to determine the etiology of the outbreak, ascertain risk factors for illness and death, and identify appropriate control measures. This report presents the preliminary results of that investigation, which determined that the AGE cases were associated with rotavirus and deaths might have been reduced by appropriate AGE case management, indicating a need for additional education of caregivers regarding AGE treatment.