Zoonotic transmission of rotavirus in Denmark; a case report

Rotavirus type A infection is a common cause of hospitalisation of children. In addition, almost 30% of diagnosed persons in Denmark are adults. Rotavirus type A infection can also occur in a range of animals, including domestic dogs, cats, cattle, horses, and birds. There is some data suggesting direct transmission between animals and humans. Rotavirus genotyping is carried out in Denmark as part of the EUROTAnet vaccine study. In 2006 a total of 180 samples were successfully typed, and to date 85 samples from 2007 have been typed. 19 samples from pigs and 31 samples from cattle (from 2006 and 2007) have also been typed. For the human samples all common human G types (1-4 and 9), as well the emerging G12 were identified, and were found in combination with the common P types ([4], [6], and [8]). Two samples contained a G8 P[goat] rotavirus (G8 98% identical to bovine G8, 96% identical to goat VP4). In pig and cow samples G types 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, and P types [4], [5], [6], [8], [10], [11], [23], [25] were identified. Both patients with G8 P[goat] came from the same area, the Danish island of Funen, and became ill within one week of each other. The first patient reported contact with cows and goats in a petting zoo 5 days prior to onset of disease. G8 was not identified in Danish pig and cow herds during the study period, suggesting the source of infection being at the petting zoo.