Indonesia discovered 15 more mysterious hepatitis cases after 3 children died

There is also a hypothesis that the blockade against the COVID-19 epidemic weakens the immunity of children – Photo: REUTERS

According to Reuters news agency, Sadikin said Indonesia has identified 15 cases of mysterious hepatitis after opening an investigation into the disease recently.

Minister Sadikin added that health officials have not yet determined the exact cause of the disease. He also did not disclose whether the 15 cases mentioned above are all children, or what methods these patients are being treated.

Health officials in several countries, including the US and UK, believe a common virus called adenovirus may play a role in the mysterious hepatitis in children.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), another possibility is that the isolation during the pandemic makes young children less exposed to different viruses, weakening their immunity. This can also make the child more susceptible to illness.

In addition, British health officials are also investigating whether the mysterious hepatitis has a link to dogs. Many families with children with the disease have dogs or have been in contact with them, but UKHSA also acknowledges that dog breeding is common in the UK.

On May 6, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it was investigating 109 mysterious cases of hepatitis in children, including 5 deaths, in 25 states and territories. territory of the United States in the past seven months, according to AFP news agency.

Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it was investigating similar cases globally. According to WHO, so far the world has recorded about 278 cases in 20 countries, many of which are children under 10 years old.

In early May, Indonesia announced that three children suspected of having mysterious hepatitis died in the capital Jakarta in April. The Indonesian Ministry of Health said the children had all been vaccinated against hepatitis.