The Ministry of Health investigated the causes of acute hepatitis in children.
Three pediatric patients who were being treated at Dr Ciptomangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta with suspected acute hepatitis, died in the last two weeks until April 30, 2022.
The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) is trying to investigate the causes of acute hepatitis through a complete virus panel examination.
"During the investigation period, we urge the public to be careful and remain calm," said Ministry of Health spokeswoman Siti Nadia Tarmizi in a written statement, Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an Extraordinary Event (KLB) in cases of Acute Hepatitis that attacked children in the Continents of Europe, America and Asia. Since April 15, 2022, the cause of the disease has not been known.
Since it was officially published as an outbreak by WHO, the number of reports of this mysterious Acute Hepatitis continues to grow. More than 170 cases have been reported in more than 12 countries.
Here is some information related to Acute Hepatitis based on information from the Ministry of Health.
1. Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis
Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis experienced include acute jaundice syndrome (dark urine, pale stools/faeces, yellow eyes and skin sclera, weakness, joint/muscle pain), diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Meanwhile, the symptoms found in three pediatric patients in Indonesia were nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, fever, jaundice, seizures and decreased consciousness.
2. Age range of children with acute hepatitis
WHO first received a report on 5 April 2022 from the United Kingdom regarding 10 cases of Acute Hepatitis of Unknown aetiology in children aged 11 months-5 years in the period January to March 2022 in Central Scotland.
The range of cases occurred in children aged 1 month to 16 years. Seventeen of them (10 percent) required a liver transplant, and 1 case died.
3. Countries with reported cases of Acute Hepatitis
As of 21 April 2022, 169 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology have been reported from 11 countries. Namely the United Kingdom including Northern Ireland (114 cases), Spain (13 cases), Israel (12 cases), the United States (9 cases), Denmark (6 cases), Ireland (less than 5 cases), the Netherlands (4 cases), Italy (4 cases), Norway (2 cases), France (2 cases), Romania (1 case), and Belgium (1 case).
4. Causes of Acute Hepatitis
The cause of the disease is still unknown. Laboratory tests abroad have been carried out and hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses were not found to be the cause of the disease.
Adenovirus was detected in 74 cases abroad which after molecular tests were identified as F type 41. SARS-CoV-2 was found in 20 cases, while 19 cases detected co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and adenovirus.
5. How to prevent Acute Hepatitis
While waiting for further information, the community is expected to continue to practice a Clean and Healthy Lifestyle, especially washing hands with soap for children, which can prevent the transmission of various infectious diseases. (kemenkes, medcom, kompas)
