Expert consensus on prevention and control strategies and measures for viral gastroenteritis in infants and young children in medical and health institutions

Viral gastroenteritis is a highly prevalent acute infectious disease among infants and young children, mainly caused by rotavirus, norovirus, and other pathogens. It is characterized by rapid transmission and high susceptibility to outbreaks. Due to immature immune and digestive systems, infants and young children are at high risk of infection, often presenting with vomiting, diarrhea, and fever; severe cases may lead to dehydration, multiple organ dysfunction, and even death. At present, there are still many challenges, such as rapid pathogen variation, insufficient testing capacity at the primary level, low vaccination rate of rotavirus vaccine, and incomplete monitoring data, etc. As a key link in the prevention, control and treatment of viral gastroenteritis, medical and health institutions assume the important responsibilities of early disease identification, accurate treatment, infection control and health education. Therefore, integrating the latest domestic and international research about viral gastroenteritis among infants, this consensus summarizes the etiological characteristics, health economic burden, and existing problems in prevention and control of the disease. It proposes the core strategy of “preventing infections and reducing severe cases, and controlling outbreaks,” including measures such as standardizing the isolation of infectious sources, strengthening hand hygiene and environmental disinfection, improving the coverage rate of rotavirus vaccination, enhancing health education, and establishing a hierarchical early warning mechanism. It will provide standardized guidance for medical and health institutions at all levels, helping to improve primary health services, reduce the disease burden, and enhance children's health.