Viral gastroenteritis in rotavirus negative hospitalized children <5 years of age from the independent states of the former Soviet Union

•Understanding the burden of norovirus, sapovirus, adenovirus and astrovirus in children from 6 NIS of former Soviet Union.•Understanding the genetic diversity of norovirus, sapovirus, and adenovirus and astrovirus strains circulating in the NIS.•Importance of implementing routine diagnostic testing for other gastroenteritis viruses especially norovirus.