RESUMO
The materials, comprehensively characterizing the water outbreaks of gastroenteritis with its etiology established and its clinico-epidemiological interpretation made, are presented. Along with other data, the water nature of the outbreak was verified by the detection of rotavirus antigen, made in the enzyme immunoassay, not only in patients, but also in water samples from the surface water source and from sewage. To isolate the infective agent from environmental objects, bentonite, a mineral sorbent, has been used for the first time. The authors believe that the water route plays the main (primary) role in the spread of rotavirus gastroenteritis and the adult population is the main reservoir of this infection. The fact the disease is registered mainly among younger age groups of the child population reflects only the maximum manifestation of rotavirus infection among these age groups.
