Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Indonesia has reported the findings of 3 cases of death suspected to be ‘mysterious’ acute hepatitis, aka without a known cause. What is the difference between mysterious hepatitis and ordinary hepatitis?
Cases of acute hepatitis have spread to 20 countries in the world, including Indonesia. WHO designated this case as an extraordinary event or Disease Outbreak News (DONs). This case of acute hepatitis is also called mysterious because the cause is unknown.
The former Director of Infectious Diseases of WHO Southeast Asia, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, explained that the DONs status was set so that the public was alert, but also did not need to panic too much.
“The state needs to take the necessary anticipatory steps, and the community takes precautions for our families. Meanwhile we will continue to follow the scientific evidence available in the coming days,” explained Tjandra to CNBC Indonesia, quoted Thursday (5/5/ 2022).
Reports from various countries show this case occurs in children aged 1 month to 16 years. Clinical symptoms in identified cases of acute hepatitis were elevated liver enzymes, acute jaundice (jaundice) syndrome, and gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting). In most cases, there are no symptoms of fever.
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.
Contacted separately, Epidemiologist from Griffith University, Dicky Budiman, explained that acute hepatitis means an infection of the liver that lasts for a short time, about 2 weeks, and a maximum of a month has been recovered. Either it recovers on its own or with therapy. There is also chronic hepatitis whose infection can damage the liver.
“Now, the cause of hepatitis, which is called mysterious, is not known with certainty, including its mechanism or pathophysiology,” explained Dikcy to CNBC Indonesia, Thursday (5/5/2022).
“Whether acute hepatitis is more dangerous or not, we can’t answer yet,” added Dikcy.
However, with the findings of cases under 250 cases in the world, less than 20 patients had to be transplanted and one person died. This, according to Dikcy, is already an indicator of danger.
“That is why the world and countries must pay attention. Because generally, in the midst of a situation like this, especially a new disease, what is detected is the tip of the iceberg,” explained Dikcy.
(hsy / hsy)
–
