Genomic epidemiology of rotavirus and other selected common enteric viruses in under-five children, animals, and environmental sources in Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
PhD candidate: Getamesay Mulatu
Institution: Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
Supervisors: Woldaregay Erku Abegaz; Alem Abrha; Yared Merid; Dejene Hailu; Andargachew Mulu
This PhD project investigates the genomic epidemiology of rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus among children under five with acute watery diarrhoea in the Sidama Region, Ethiopia. Diarrheal disease remains a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in young children, with enteric viruses playing a dominant role. Despite the introduction of rotavirus vaccination, a substantial burden of disease persists, indicating ongoing circulation of diverse viral strains and possible gaps in prevention and control strategies.
The study adopts a One Health approach and combines facility-based and community-based cross-sectional designs. Stool samples from symptomatic children attending selected health facilities will be analyzed alongside samples from asymptomatic children in the community, as well as animal (calves) and environmental (water) sources. Detection of enteric viruses will be performed using multiplex qRT-PCR, and whole genome sequencing using Illumina platforms will be used to characterize viral genomes in detail.
The study will estimate the prevalence of the targeted viruses, describe circulating genotypes, and assess genetic relatedness across human, animal, and environmental reservoirs to better understand potential zoonotic and environmental transmission pathways. In addition, demographic and clinical data will be analyzed to identify risk factors associated with infection and disease severity in children under five.
The findings are expected to provide important evidence on viral diversity and transmission dynamics of enteric pathogens in southern Ethiopia, supporting improved diagnostics, strengthening surveillance systems, and informing vaccination and public health strategies within an integrated One Health framework.