WATCH: Unexplained Hepatitis Detected Among Children Globally, MOH Releases Statement Via Facebook

By Lara Kramer  •  09 May 2022 in News

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On April 21, WHO received 169 reports hailing from 12 countries including Spain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands and many more. The United Kingdom reported a whopping 114 cases alone.

74 out of 169 cases found patients also inflicted with Adenovirus, and 20 where they tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, 10% would need liver transplants.

According to CNN, The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had stated on Friday that it was investigating 109 cases of unexplained hepatitis. 14% among them needed transplants and five cases have proved fatal so far.

Lab reports concluded that the cause of the illness was unknown upon discovering that the usual sources presented in hepatitis A, B, C, D and E were not detected.

The Ministry of Health took to Facebook On Friday (6 May) to call attention to the sudden occurrence of acute hepatitis with unknown aetiology being detected among children.

Via the public post, MOH explained that the World Health Organisation had reported that these cases involved babies and children up to sixteen years old.

Following this, MOH has taken initiatives towards heightening the surveillance of the disease throughout clinics and hospitals nationwide. Experts have also urged for children below the age of 18 to seek immediate medical help shall they show symptoms of jaundice or hepatitis.

These symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue and unusually dark-hued urine.

In March, a male citizen aged 4 years and 11 months received treatment for acute hepatitis at a hospital in Sabah. It was reported that his liver function had deteriorated to the point of needing a transplant.

The patient was discharged on April 22, and did not have prior history with any afflictions besides SARS-CoV-2. Currently, experts are looking into the matter to determine whether the case meets the criteria of acute hepatitis with unknown aetiology.

The post was signed off by health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, after he noted that parents and caretakers must practice diligence and obtain help for their children who are at risk. He also stated that MOH will continue to monitor these cases and update the public.

The matter has garnered a mixed reaction from netizens, many dreading that it may lead to another compulsory vaccination, while a few argued that the illness may be a result of vaccination itself.

Some also criticised medical experts and questioned the unknown nature of the disease, while others were simply grateful to MOH for releasing an early warning to the public.