Ministry of Health monitors cases of severe acute hepatitis

Brazil´s Health Ministry reported it has been monitoring cases of severe acute hepatitis in the country. The first probable case of the disease – which occurred in the municipality of Ponta Porã, Mato Grosso do Sul state, has been confirmed. The patient, whose age was not informed, had symptoms of fever, jaundice, as well as malaise, and nausea. She continues recovering and is being monitored by health surveillance teams.

“The ministry has installed a situation room to monitor and follow up on cases in Brazil. The initiative aims to support investigations to identify possible causes,” a ministry´s statement reads.

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Symptoms include high levels of liver enzymes, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and jaundice, and it has no direct relationship with the known hepatitis viruses.

This version of the disease affects only children and adolescents and has spread to at least 20 countries. In Brazil, 92 cases and six fatalities suspected of being caused by the disease have been reported. Out of these, 76 cases and six deaths remain under investigation.

The outbreak was first reported in April in the United Kingdom. 111 cases had been registered, mainly in children under 10 years of age.

In a statement released on April 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) said there is no link between the disease and the vaccines used against COVID-19. “The hypotheses related to the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines have no backing as the vast majority of affected children did not receive the vaccination against COVID-19”.