Bay Area Rotavirus Levels Climb, With Up to 70,000 U.S. Hospitalizations a Year
Updated
Updated · KGO-TV · May 28
Bay Area Rotavirus Levels Climb, With Up to 70,000 U.S. Hospitalizations a Year
4 articles · Updated · KGO-TV · May 28
Stanford wastewater data shows rotavirus levels have risen significantly across the Bay Area since March, with especially elevated readings in Gilroy and high levels seen regionwide.
Experts say the virus spreads easily among young children through poor hand hygiene and can cause severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain; symptoms typically last 3 to 9 days.
U.S. rotavirus infections lead to as many as 70,000 hospitalizations and 20 to 60 deaths annually, though most cases are never formally recorded because only severe infections are usually tracked.
UCSF's Monica Gandhi said falling vaccination coverage may be fueling the increase after the rotavirus shot was removed from the administration's schedule, while handwashing remains the main prevention advice.
Is new sewer tech finding a real virus surge, or just a threat that was always hidden?
If the rotavirus vaccine's shield weakens over time, how can parents protect their children now?