Objectives
To systematically review and meta-analyze the prevalence and genetic diversity of rotavirus A (RVA) in humans, animals, and environmental water samples in West Africa and to describe its geographic distribution and circulation patterns.
Methods
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, African Journals Online, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, JSTOR, clinical trial registries, and global health libraries were searched for observational studies published from January 1, 2010, to December 20, 2025, reporting molecular RVA genotyping data from West Africa. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, assessed risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute and SYRCLE tools, and summarized genotype distributions narratively. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to estimate pooled prevalence by source category.
Results
Fifty-four studies were included, comprising 21,532 samples and 2,080 RVA-positive cases. The overall pooled prevalence was 12.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.9%–15.6%). Prevalence was highest in animals (19.77%; 95% CI, 5.4%–40.1%), followed by environmental water samples (14.81%; 95% CI, 3.5%–31.1%) and humans (11.37%; 95% CI, 9.0%–14.0%). Overall heterogeneity was very high (I²=97.1%). In human studies, G1P[8], G9P[8], and G2P[4] were among the most frequently detected and geographically widespread genotype combinations.
Conclusion
RVA circulates widely in humans, animals, and environmental water samples across West Africa, although evidence is characterized by substantial heterogeneity, uneven geographic representation, and limited animal and environmental water data. These findings support integrated One Health surveillance, monitoring for genotype shifts, and stronger water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions.