Hospital-Based Study of the Economic Burden Associated with Rotavirus Diarrhea

Background. Rotavirus infection is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in both developed and de-veloping countries. Methods. To estimate the economic burden associated with rotavirus infection in Hong Kong, we combined data on the disease burden of rotavirus-associated hospital admissions with detailed cost data for a subsample of 471 children with diarrhea admitted to hospitals. Results. The annual total social cost and total direct medical cost for rotavirus-associated admissions were calculated as US $4.3 and US $4 million, respectively, by use of data collected during March 2001 to March 2003. The estimate of the direct medical costs was ∼4-fold higher than a previous estimate; this difference largely reflects the greater disease burden identified through active disease surveillance conducted under the auspices of the Asian Rotavirus Surveillance Network. On average, families spent US $120 when their child’s admission was associated with rotavirus infection; this cost represents ∼10 % of the monthly salary of an unskilled or service worker. Conclusions. These data emphasize the potential for a safe and effective rotavirus vaccine to reduce the eco-nomic burden associated with rotavirus disease. In the United States, rotavirus infection has been re-ported to be responsible for 30%–50 % of all diarrhea