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Following a review of published studies from 1986-2000 on deaths caused by diarrhoea and on rotavirus infections in children, the authors estimate that, each year, rotavirus causes approx. 111 million episodes of gastro-enteritis in children under 5 years of age, that only require treatment at home. However, rotavirus infection also results in 15 million visits to a clinic/doctor, 2 million hospitalisations and up to 592,000 deaths. The incidence is similar in developed and developing countries, but children in developing countries die more frequently. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2003;9:565-572.