Rotavirus, we filter that.
Rotaviruses are wheel-shaped (“rota-“) viruses that cause intestinal illnesses and are the most common cause of severe diarrhea among infants and children. Before introduction of a rotavirus vaccine in 2006, about 55,000 to 70,000 children were hospitalized from rotavirus infections each year in the United States. Worldwide, more than 600,000 children die from rotavirus infections annually.
Rotaviruses are found in every part of the United States and throughout the world. The virus may be found in water sources such as private wells that have been contaminated with the feces from infected humans. Waste can enter the water through different ways, including sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, and polluted storm water runoff. Gross! Wells may be more vulnerable to such contamination after flooding, particularly if the wells are shallow, have been dug or bored, or have been submerged by floodwater for long periods of time.
Rotavirus was the leading cause of severe diarrhea among infants and young children in the United States before rotavirus vaccine was introduced in 2006. Prior to vaccine introduction, almost all U.S. children were infected with rotavirus before their 5th birthday. Each year, among U.S. children younger than 5 years of age, rotavirus led to
- more than 400,000 doctor visits,
- more than 200,000 emergency room visits,
- 55,000 to 70,000 hospitalizations, and
- 20 to 60 deaths.
How do you kill or remove a rotavirus in water?
To kill or inactivate rotavirus, bring your water to a rolling boil for one minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for three minutes) Water should then be allowed to cool, stored in a clean sanitized container with a tight cover, and refrigerated. Because of the small size of the virus, most point-of-use water filters will not remove it from water. At Epic Water Filters, we designed the Epic Nano Water Filter pitcher specifically for this virus and we remove it. We also use the same technology in our Outdoor Adventure Water Bottle filter.
Epic Nano (Water Filter Pitcher) >99.99%
Epic Outdoor Adventure Bottle Filter (Water Bottle Filter) >99.99%