Associations between meteorological variation and hospitalisations for rotavirus infections in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Mohammad Shukri Khoo; Ahmad Hathim Ahmad Azman; Noor Akmal Shareela Ismail; Asrul Abdul Wahab; Adli Ali

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28574

Associations between meteorological variation and hospitalisations for rotavirus infections in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Heliyon. 2024 Mar 26;10(7):e28574. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28574. eCollection 2024 Apr 15.

Authors

Mohammad Shukri Khoo^{1

2}, Ahmad Hathim Ahmad Azman¹, Noor Akmal Shareela Ismail³, Asrul Abdul Wahab⁴, Adli Ali^{1

2

5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Specialist Children's Hospital, The National University of Malaysia, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
² Clinical Research Unit, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Specialist Children's Hospital, The National University of Malaysia, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
³ Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The National University of Malaysia, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
⁴ Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The National University of Malaysia, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
⁵ Institute of IR4.0, The National University of Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Malaysia.
⁶ Infection and Immunology Health and Advanced Medicine Cluster, The National University of Malaysia, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Abstract

Objectives: Rotavirus (RoV) infections have emerged as a significant public health concern around the world. Understanding the relationship between climatic conditions and hospitalisations due to RoV infections can help engage effective prevention strategies. This study aims to investigate the potential associations between meteorological variability and RoV-related hospitalisations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Methods: Hospitalization data from a tertiary teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur over a twelve-year period were retrospectively collected. Concurrently, meteorological data were obtained from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) including variables of temperature, humidity, precipitation, and atmospheric pressure to further demonstrate relationship with RoV-associated hospitalisations.

Results: The results indicated positive correlations between increased rainfall, rainy days, humidity, and RoV-related hospitalisations, suggesting the influence of environmental factors on the transmission of RoV.

Conclusions: This study highlights positive associations between meteorological variations and hospitalizations for RoV infections in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Further investigations, including national-level data, are needed to deepen our understanding of these associations, particularly within the context of Malaysia and to develop targeted interventions for disease prevention and control.