The Ministry of Health requests to strengthen surveillance of mysterious acute hepatitis in children

On May 6, the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) sent a document to the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology; Pasteur Institute Nha Trang; Pasteur Institute Ho Chi Minh City; Central Highlands Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology on strengthening surveillance for acute hepatitis of unknown etiology.

There have been 228 children with mysterious acute hepatitis in 20 countries

The official dispatch of the Department of Preventive Medicine said that according to updated information from the World Health Organization, as of May 3, 2022, the world had recorded 228 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in children. in 20 countries in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific, in which there have been 4 deaths.

The disease occurs in children from 1 month to 16 years old, most patients recover completely, however, there are some severe cases, nearly 10% of cases require liver transplantation. 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 were not found to be infected with common viruses that cause acute viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses).

The World Health Organization and the European Centers for Disease Prevention and Control say the exact cause of hepatitis in these children is unknown and investigations are ongoing. However, cases have occurred in areas where the adenovirus is high.

Actively monitor cases of acute hepatitis

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 and Epidemiology and the Pasteur Institute focus on implementing the following contents, specifically:

Closely monitoring, synthesizing the situation, analyzing the epidemiology of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in the world; coordinate with localities to take samples and test cases of suspected acute hepatitis of unknown cause and immediately report unusual cases.

At the same time, assess the risks, propose preventive measures in Vietnam and send it to the Department of Preventive Medicine for monitoring, synthesis and reporting to the Ministry’s leadership.

Strengthening the direction, inspection and supervision, supporting localities and units to monitor, prevent and test for hepatitis virus, with a focus on hepatitis B vaccination activities for infants. , children under 1 year old and those at high risk, ensure safety and reach the coverage rate according to the planned targets.

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

Coordinate with relevant organizations and units to conduct research and investigation on viral hepatitis to provide more information and evidence and advise the Ministry of Health in formulating policies and specialized guidelines. Technology for the prevention of viral hepatitis.