Epidemiology of enteric infections

Infectious gastro-enteritis is a leading cause of morbidity and, ill developing countries, an important cause of infant mortality, In France the surveillance of gastro-enteritis is based on several complementary surveillance systems: a general practitioner sentinel network, National Reference Centers for specific micro-organisms, a laboratory network for rotavirus, and the mandatory notification of foodborne outbreaks. Although the Incidence of gastro-enteritis at the community level is well monitored, no precise information is available on the distribution of micro-organisms responsible for acute gastro-enteritis, either at primary care or hospital levels. However, rotaviruses play an important role, particularly among young children and during yearly winter outbreak. An oral vaccine, soon available, with an efficiency of about 80 % for severe rotavirus infections, will allow to substantially reduce severe gastro-enteritis in young children.