Vietnam monitors acute hepatitis of unknown cause, experts show how to prevent it

06/05/2022 14:37 GMT+7

This is a request of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) in a recently released document on strengthening surveillance for acute hepatitis of unknown cause.

Accordingly, the Department of Preventive Medicine stated, according to updated information from the World Health Organization (WHO), as of May 3, the world had recorded 228 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children. causes in 20 countries in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific, in which there have been 4 deaths.

The disease occurs in children from one month old to 16 years old. Most of the children recovered completely, but there were some cases of severe disease, nearly 10% of cases required a liver transplant.

Vietnam monitors acute hepatitis of unknown cause, experts show how to prevent it

The cases identified as acute hepatitis mentioned above presented with abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and markedly elevated liver enzymes. The majority of reported cases were without fever and undetected infection with common viruses that cause acute viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses).

WHO and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control say that the exact cause of hepatitis in these children is not known and investigations are ongoing. However, cases have occurred in areas where the adenovirus is high.

In order to actively monitor cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in Vietnam and promptly implement measures to prevent and minimize the number of cases and deaths, the Department of Preventive Health recommends that the Institutes of Hygiene Epidemiology, the Pasteur Institute closely monitored, synthesized the situation, and analyzed the epidemiology of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in the world.

The Department of Preventive Medicine also requested these units to coordinate with localities to take samples and test cases of suspected acute hepatitis of unknown cause and immediately report abnormal cases, assess risk, Proposing preventive measures in Vietnam to be sent to the Department.

In addition, it is necessary to strengthen the direction, inspection and supervision, to support localities and units in implementing the surveillance, prevention and testing of viral hepatitis, which focuses on vaccination activities. hepatitis B for infants, children under one year of age and high-risk subjects, ensuring safety and reaching the coverage rate according to the planned targets.

At the same time, regularly update professional guidelines and monitor and prevent viral hepatitis, organize training courses for health workers in localities in the Institute’s area.

Also related to this disease, Dr. Infectious specialist Truong Huu Khanh, Children’s Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Infectious Diseases Association, said that most of the current studies suggest that the cause of the mysterious hepatitis in children is adenovirus. is a new phenomenon that cannot cause translation.

This completely coincides with the WHO study that now adenovirus is being considered as the cause of acute hepatitis in children. However, other factors are still under investigation. Adenovirus is commonly known to cause respiratory symptoms, conjunctivitis, or gastrointestinal disturbances.

According to experts, the possibility of the mysterious hepatitis virus entering Vietnam is quite possible, therefore, Doctor Huu Khanh recommends, if the child has jaundice, dark skin and accompanying symptoms such as mild fever, vomiting, abdominal pain… Parents should send their children to medical facilities for timely diagnosis and treatment. In particular, parents should pay attention to instruct their children to wash their hands thoroughly, eat cleanly, and drink cleanly.

N. Huyen