County seeks to buy vaccine for rotavirus

The Las Vegas area is in the middle of the rotavirus season, and the Clark County Health District is still waiting to get the green light to purchase a medically approved vaccine.

Rotavirus causes an estimated 3 million cases of childhood diarrhea in the United States a year, the Centers for Disease Control estimates. If left untreated, complications -- which includes dehydration -- causes about 40 deaths a year.

Pediatricians say the vaccine needs to be given orally to infants at 2, 4 and 6 months.

According to Bob Salcido, program manager for the state Health Department, there were 513 reported rotavirus cases statewide in 1997, 459 in 1996, 504 in 1995, 349 in 1994 and 297 in 1993.

Salcido said private pediatricians may have the vaccine, which costs around $40 for three doses. He said the state was hoping to have the vaccine this month but is waiting for federal price approval before purchasing it and distributing it free to residents. He expects the price to be approved within three to four months.

However, Rotavirus is most contagious during cooler months, and the season in Nevada will be over by the time the purchase is approved. The virus is spread easily from not washing hands after changing diapers and being around an infected individual.

Dr. Rose Bell, an epidemiologist with the Health District, said children with diarrhea should be kept home from day care, given adequate food and taken to a pediatrician immediately.

"Parents should try to find out if the day care they are taking their children to has cases of diarrhea," said Dr. Bernard Feldman, acting chairman of the Department of Pediatrics with the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

"This is an important vaccine that parents should know about."

There is no cure for rotavirus. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the new vaccine to treat dehydration. It's estimated that 55,000 children are hospitalized each year with diarrhea and 500,000 visit doctors for treatment.

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