How many cases of gastroenteritis occurred globally in 2015?
The world witnessed two billion cases of gastroenteritis in 2015. This massive number resulted in 1.3 million deaths globally that same year.
Questions about Gastroenteritis
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis disease in children worldwide?
Rotavirus stands as the most common cause of severe disease in children worldwide. Giardia lamblia remains the most common parasitic agent causing illness across many regions.
When did the World Health Organization recommend rotavirus vaccine availability for all children globally?
The World Health Organization recommended rotavirus vaccine availability for all children globally starting in 2009. Implementation of vaccination programs in the United States decreased diarrhea cases by as much as 80 percent since 2000.
Why does drinking soft drinks and fruit juices increase gastroenteritis risk in children under five years old?
Soft drinks and fruit juices increase diarrhea risk in children under five years of age. Drinking replacement products made from complex carbohydrates like wheat or rice may be superior to simple sugar based drinks.
How many fatalities are due specifically to rotavirus in children under five years old annually?
More than 450,000 fatalities are due specifically to rotavirus in children under five years old. Gastroenteritis caused 4.6 million deaths in children in 1980 before dropping to approximately 1.5 million annually by 2000.