Image source, Between Photos
—
–
A total of three pediatric patients who were treated at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta, died of suspected acute hepatitis whose cause is unknown. They died at different times with the last two weeks until 30 April 2022.
–
As reported by the Ministry of Health, these three patients were referrals from hospitals in East Jakarta and West Jakarta.
–
In response to this series of incidents, the Ministry of Health made a claim that it had increased its vigilance.
–
Moreover, the series of events that took place after World Health Organization (WHO) declared an Extraordinary Event (KLB) in cases of Acute Hepatitis that attacks children in Europe, America and Asia, and the cause has not been known since April 15, 2022.
–
What are the symptoms experienced by the three pediatric patients?
According to the Ministry of Health, the symptoms found in these patients include:
–
Currently, the Ministry of Health stated that it was trying to investigate the cause of this acute hepatitis event through a complete virus panel examination. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Health Office is conducting further epidemiological investigations.
–
“During the investigation period, we urge the public to be careful and remain calm. Take precautions such as washing hands, ensuring food is cooked and clean, not changing eating utensils, avoiding contact with sick people and continuing to implement health protocols,” said the spokesman. Speaking of the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi.
–
Furthermore, Siti Nadia warned parents to immediately check their child to the nearest health service facility if they suffer from the following symptoms:
–
- Urinating old tea color
–
- Pale stools,
–
How did the case start?
Since designated as an Extraordinary Event by WHO, the number of reports of acute hepatitis in children continues to grow. More than 170 cases have been reported by more than 12 countries.
–
WHO first received a report on 5 April 2022 from the United Kingdom regarding 10 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology (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 one month to 16 years. A total of 17 children (10%) required a liver transplant, and one case was reported to have died.
–
Clinical symptoms in the identified cases were acute hepatitis with elevated liver enzymes, acute jaundice (jaundice) syndrome, and gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting). In most cases, there are no symptoms of fever.
–
What caused it?
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, was 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.
—
