Ministry of Health supervises cases of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology, requires hepatitis B vaccine coverage

09/05/2022 17:51 GMT+7

According to the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, as of May 3, the world has recorded 228 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in 20 countries in Europe, Southeast Asia, Western Pacific, including 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 the common viruses that cause acute viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses).

The World Health Organization and the European Center 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 with high endemicity of adenovirus.

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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 Ministry of Health proposes that the Director of the Department of Health focus on directing:

Increase testing of suspected cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause at medical facilities to determine the cause. If abnormal cases are detected, the cause is unknown, please report immediately to the Ministry of Health (Department of Preventive Medicine) for timely monitoring and direction.

Localities also directed to strengthen the implementation of hepatitis B vaccine coverage for children of the vaccination age at health facilities to reach the set rate and ensure safety, so that there are no areas with high risk of infection. Hepatitis B vaccination rates for children are low, especially for infants.

The Department of Preventive Medicine also requires localities to perform well the examination, screening and early detection of hepatitis virus infections for timely treatment and management to limit complications. Direct and guide local medical units to well implement the professional guidelines of the Ministry of Health in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with viral hepatitis.

In addition, the Ministry also proposed to continue strongly implementing activities to prevent viral hepatitis according to Decision No. 4531/QD-BYT dated September 24, 2021 of the Minister of Health on the promulgation of the Health Plan. prevention and control of viral hepatitis in the period of 2021-2025. Organize peak activities to respond to World Hepatitis Day on July 28 every year and turn this activity into an annual local activity.

N. Huyen