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Statistics indicate that one of the leading causes of moderate-to-severe diarrhoea in India is Rotavirus and accounts for about 40 per cent of all diarrhoea cases requiring treatment. More children across India die due to diarrhoea than AIDS, malaria and measles combined. It has also been estimated that India alone contributes to 22 per cent of all global diarrheal deaths in children below five years. Among those more vulnerable include malnourished children and those with poor access to medical care.

Between 80,000 to 1,00,000 children die in India annually due to Rotavirus diarrhoea and another 9 lakh are admitted to the hospital with severe diarrhoea. A highly contagious disease, Rotavirus is spread when a child comes in contact with infected water, food, or hands. This is known as the fecal-oral route. This virus can survive for long periods of time on hands and various surfaces. This condition also increases the risk of dehydration in very young children.

Here are some tips to prevent Rotavirus:

• Maintain proper hygiene around the house. Clean all surfaces and the floor thoroughly.
• Wash your hands after you change the infant's diaper or use the washroom.
• Practice food safety at home.
• Drink clean water and keep all containers closed.
• last year, the health ministry launched India's first, indigenous rotavirus vaccine called Rotavac. Developed indigenously under a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Science Technology and the Health Ministry, this vaccine is expected to significantly reduce hospitalization and other conditions associated with diarrhoea due to Rotavirus infection.

— Courtesy Indian Medical Association