Indonesia detects 15 cases of acute childhood hepatitis after death of three children

Indonesia has identified 15 cases of acute childhood hepatitis of unknown origin after reporting three deaths among children, the country’s Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin told a news conference on Monday.

The World Health Organization said last week it had received reports of at least 228 probable cases of childhood hepatitis or inflammation of the liver in 20 countries.

Minister Budi said Indonesia had detected 15 cases since it launched an investigation into the disease recently, adding that authorities had not determined a definitive cause.

He did not say whether the 15 cases were all children or what treatment they were receiving.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Some health experts have linked the illness to an infection with a type of adenovirus, a family of common viruses that can cause flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms.

There is also a theory that the Covid-19 lockdowns may have weakened the children’s immunity because they were less exposed to common pathogens while in isolation.

In addition, scientists are analyzing whether the adenovirus involved has mutated or is acting in conjunction with another infection, possibly Covid-19.

Earlier this month, Indonesia reported that three children suspected of having contracted the disease had died in the capital Jakarta in April. They received hepatitis vaccines, the Ministry of Health said.

Source: CNN Brasil

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