One of the three cases of death in Jakarta is probable acute hepatitis with severe symptoms of unknown cause
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Severe symptoms of mysterious acute hepatitis in children under 16 years of age generally surfaced within a span of two weeks, marked by loss of consciousness or seizures, Health Ministry's spokesperson Siti Nadia Tarmizi stated.

"That is why it is called severe acute hepatitis because within 14 days, the affected person will have a seizure and there will be a decrease in consciousness. Normal hepatitis does not cause a seizure," Tarmizi noted in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The spokesperson said such indications came to light after researchers studied one of the three pediatric patients, who reportedly died at different times at the end of April 2022 at the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta.

"One of the three cases of death in Jakarta is probable acute hepatitis with severe symptoms of unknown cause," she noted.

Tarmizi explained that the mysterious hepatitis classification was probable, characterized by non-reactive reports on hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E as well as other viruses, such as dengue and adenovirus 41.

The Ministry of Health has been strengthening the role of diagnosis of patients with hepatitis symptoms in all community health centers (Puskesmas) in the country. The speed of diagnosis and medical treatment are crucial to prevent deaths in patients.

"The first step is to pay attention to the jaundice syndrome. Puskesmas must check the environment, take sample of the patient's feces, and examine it. They can then decide whether a referral to the hospital is needed," Tarmizi stated.

The Health Ministry's daily report as of May 15 showed the total number of suspected cases of acute hepatitis in Indonesia had reached 18, with two probable classifications, 16 pending classifications, and zero epi-linked (non-hepatitis A-E viruses, close contact with probable cases since October 1, 2021).

Meanwhile, based on the patient status, six of them died (two probable, four pending classifications), eight were still being treated (eight pending classifications), and four were discharged (four pending classifications).

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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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