ten cases of pediatric hepatitis not known to be caused by the
hepatitis
virus have been reported to the public health agency of canada (phac). two of these cases have required liver transplants, however, phac says it is still too early to determine if this is an increase in the number of cases reported at this time each year.
the ten cases were reported in children aged one to 13 years old, according to a statement provided to
healthing
. the children reportedly became sick between nov. 3, 2021 and april 23, 2022 and were all hospitalized. four of the cases occurred in ontario, three in alberta, two in manitoba and one in quebec.
the agency says they are continuing to work with territorial and provincial health bodies to determine if these cases are part of the global outbreak and are asking parents and pediatricians to remain vigilant.
“parents and caregivers should be aware of the symptoms of hepatitis and should contact their child’s health care provider with any concerns they may have,” reads the statement. “symptoms of acute severe hepatitis include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, light-coloured stools, loss of appetite, fever and fatigue. even in cases where the cause of acute severe hepatitis is not known, treatment is available, and most children recover with medical care.”
the who originally shared news of an outbreak regarding
severe liver disease of “unknown aetiology
in the u.k. on april 15. as of may 19, the who is reporting
614 probable cases
and 14 deaths worldwide. the u.k. continues to report the
majority of cases
(197), followed by the united states reporting 180.