Rotavirus A in Domestic pigs in Zambia

Rotavirus A is serious zoonotic virus that affect both animals and humans younger than 5years. Prevalence of rotavirus A in developing countries like Africa and Asia is high. Therefore, knowing the circulating rotavirus A genotypes in animals like pigs that are known to be natural reservoirs is critical in establishing critical control measures to mitigate the spread of rotavirus. Currently Africa accounts for about 50% of global mortality associated with rotavirus. In Zambia, diarrhea related deaths is ranked 3rd among the major cause of death in children younger than 5years. Interestingly, despite the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in our immunization program diarrhea associated deaths is still high. Therefore, understanding the circulating genotypes in animals like pigs with the potential to spill over in the human population is vital in controlling the disease associated with rotavirus.Therefore, our aim in our project is to detect and characterize rotavirus A circulating in domestic pigs since they are reared in close proximity to humans. Hence, they have a potential to spread the virus in the human population.