Increasing monitoring acute hepatitis of unknown etiology among children

According to the above Official Dispatch, as of May 3, 2022, the world has recorded 228 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in 20 countries in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific of which there were 04 deaths.

This disease occurs among children from 1 month to 16 years old, most of the children recover completely, however,  approximately 10% of them need a liver transplant.

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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).

 The Department of Preventive Medicine suggested that the Institutes of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Pasteur Institute actively monitor cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in Vietnam and promptly implement preventive measures to minimize the number of infections. and death:

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

- Strengthening the direction, inspection and supervision, supporting localities and units to implement the surveillance, prevention and testing of hepatitis virus in which focusing on hepatitis B vaccination for infants, children under 1 year old and high-risk subjects.

- 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, evidence and advise the Ministry of Health in formulating policies and guidelines. Technical guidance on prevention of viral hepatitis.

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