Indonesia detects more suspected cases of mysterious hepatitis in children

This is the announcement of the Indonesian Ministry of Health on 5/5.

Accordingly, the number of suspected cases acute hepatitis in Indonesia continues to increase. Speaking at an online press conference, Indonesian Health Ministry spokesman Siti Nadia Tarmizi said the new cases were discovered after health authorities nationwide were alerted to a number of cases. Hepatitis with symptoms of jaundice.

Currently, Indonesian health officials are still verifying the cause of these new cases through a series of tests, genome sequencing to make sure that these are not cases of hepatitis A and B. , C, D and E.

Ms. Siti, from the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Diseases Hospital in Jakarta, has been appointed as the focal point for the treatment of these mysterious cases of acute hepatitis in children.

Also at the press conference, Professor, pediatrician Hanifah Oswari dismissed the popular speculation that this mysterious acute hepatitis in children stemmed from vaccination against COVID-19 vaccine.

Indonesia advises people to “be careful and calm” with acute hepatitis in children. (Photo courtesy: Reuters)

Professor Hanifah noted that although some children infected with viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 or adenovirus also develop acute hepatitis, it could be a coincidence.

This leading Indonesian scientist on acute hepatitis recommends that parents should be alert early when their children have gastrointestinal problems and take them to the hospital immediately.

Mr. Hanifah added that, because acute hepatitis is capable of spreading through the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract, it is necessary to focus on preventing the entry of the virus, for example by hand washing and wearing a mask.

Previously, on May 2, Indonesia announced that three children aged 2, 8 and 11 years old had died at a hospital in Jakarta in April suspected of contracting pneumonia. mysterious hepatitis with symptoms of jaundice and digestive problems such as severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the results of the epidemiological investigation to date show that none of the family members of the above-mentioned children have a history of hepatitis or jaundice, or have symptoms of hepatitis similar to those of the deceased. after their children got sick.

Also according to the ministry, all three of these patients tested negative for acute respiratory infection COVID-19 and only the two-year-old patient had not been vaccinated against hepatitis.

The Indonesian Ministry of Health said that it is still conducting testing for viruses, including adenovirus and hepatitis E virus. The process will take 10 to 14 days to reach a conclusion and can determine the cause of the cases. morbidity and mortality.

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