Two cases of acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology have been detected in Cyprus on the basis of the definition set by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, the Ministry of Health said Thursday.
In a press release, the Ministry says that based on the definition set by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and announced in recent days, it announces that two cases of acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology that meet the definition have been detected in children aged 5 and 4 years old, who fell ill in November 2021 and March 2022 respectively.
The Ministry says that it is monitoring the increase in cases of acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children under 16 years of age, mainly 2-5 years old, recorded recently in Europe, United Kingdom and America, adding thatmany of the cases reported gastrointestinal symptoms mainly abdominal pain, diarrhea , vomiting and often followed by jaundice. The majority of the children concerned did not have a fever.
It adds that the international health organisations (WHO, ECDC, CDC) are working together to identify the agent causing the acute hepatitis, while the data so far indicate a specific type of adenovirus (type 41) as the predominant cause. The common viruses that cause acute viral hepatitis (hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E) have not been detected in any of these cases.
It notes that cases have been investigated since October 2021 and the association of these cases as a side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine is not confirmed as the vast majority of children do not have a history of vaccination.
“Based on the above, andon the definition set by the ECDC and announced in recent days, the Ministry informs that two cases of acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology have been detected, that meet the definition, in children aged 5 and 4 years, who fell ill in November 2021 and March 2022 respectively,” the press release says.
The Ministry says that if parents notice any symptoms in their children like general malaise, dark-coloured urine, discoloured faeces, jaundice, yellowing of the skin and eyes, they should contact their doctor.
It also adviseshand washing; avoiding contact with the nose, the eyes and mouth; covering the mouth and the nose or covering with the elbow when about to cough or sneeze. In case a child develops any symptoms, it is advised to stay home and avoid contact with others.
Concluding, the Ministry says itcontinues to monitor the situation in collaboration with clinicians.
Source: Cyprus News Agency