[Recent Trends in the Circulation of Viruses Causing Acute Gastroenteritis in the Republic of Korea, 2019-2023].

Viral acute gastroenteritis is an infectious disease caused by various viruses, including norovirus, and is predominantly transmitted through contaminated water or food. This condition, one of several waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases, is characterized by symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Over a 5-year period (2019–2023), we analyzed the detection rates and genotypes of 5 viruses (norovirus, group A rotavirus, enteric adenovirus, astrovirus, and sapovirus) in stool samples (54,451 cases) from patients who presented with or were hospitalized for diarrhea. Out of the samples collected, viruses were detected in 6,415 cases (11.8%), with an average detection rate of 11.7% over the 5 years. Notably, the highest detection rates were found in children under 5 years of age (68.1%), with norovirus being the most frequently detected virus (69.2%). Detection rates varied seasonally, peaking in winter and diminishing in summer. The predominant genotypes identified included norovirus GII.4, group A rotavirus G8P[8], enteric adenovirus F41, astrovirus type 1a, and sapovirus GI.