A major outbreak of gastroenteritis in Réunion Island in 2012: first identification of G12 rotavirus on the Island.

Between August and November 2012 a severe outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred on Réunion Island, affecting more than 50,000 cases, particularly young children. Virological analyses showed that the virus responsible for this epidemic was rotavirus. Genotyping of stool samples indicated circulation of rotavirus type G3P[8] but also G12P[8], highlighting the risk of global emergence of this genotype in the coming years.