Two cases of acute hepatitis have been reported in children in Cyprus, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Health.
One incident involved a 5-year-old child and the second a 4-year-old child. The two children fell ill in November 2021 and March 2022 respectively.
The announcement of the Cypriot Ministry of Health states:
“The Ministry of Health is carefully monitoring the increase in acute cases hepatitis unexplained etiology in children under 16 years of age, mainly 2-5 years of age recently recorded in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Many of the cases reported gastrointestinal symptoms mainly abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and often followed by jaundice.
Most cases did not have a fever. The international health organizations (WHO, ECDC, CDC) work together to identify the causative agent, while the data so far indicate a specific type of adenovirus (type 41) as the predominant cause.
At the same time, an investigation is carried out to rule out other causative factors or possible cofactors. It is noted that the usual hepatitis viruses (A to E) were not detected.
Cases have been investigated since October 2021 and the association of these cases as a side effect against the COVID-19 vaccine has not been confirmed as the vast majority of children do not have a history of vaccination.
The Ministry of Health, based on the above, and based on the definition set by the ECDC and notified in recent days, informs for the detection of two cases of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology that meet the definition in children aged 5 and 4 yearswho fell ill in November 2021 and March 2022 respectively.
If parents notice symptoms in children (generalized malaise, dark urine, stool discoloration and jaundice, yellowing of the skin and eyes) they are urged to contact their doctor.
It is recommended to observe measures such as hand hygiene, avoid contact with nose, eyes, mouth and cover the nose and mouth or cover the inside of the elbow in coughing or sneezing.
In addition, it is recommended to stay at home in case of symptoms and avoid contact with a person who shows symptoms. The Ministry of Health continues to monitor what is happening in relation to the cases of acute hepatitis and in close cooperation with the clinicians records the presence of relevant cases “.
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