World health experts urge action to prevent child rotavirus deaths

Over 350 of the world's leading scientific experts, policymakers and public health professionals from 67 countries convened at the 8th International Rotavirus Symposium in Istanbul, Turkey, this month to present new data about rotavirus - a disease which causes acute diarrhea and often leads to death among young children.

"Regardless of where they live, virtually all children become infected with rotavirus by the age of three. Yet, 90% of child deaths due to rotavirus occur in the world's poorest countries," said Ciro de Quadros, of the Sabin Vaccine Institute.

Roger Glass, of the Fogarty International Center, added: "every country affected by this disease should be using these new insights to have vigorous discussions about the best ways to prevent this potential killer."