‘Global Spread’ of Acute Pediatric Hepatitis, Suspected Cases Reported in Japan

by Kim Heeyun

Published 26 Apr.2022 16:58(KST)

First Report of Pediatric Cases Under 16 on the 21st

A student commuting to school in Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Yonhap News EPA

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Amid the spread of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in children across Europe, including the UK, and the United States, the first suspected case has been identified in Japan.

According to Japanese media such as NHK, on the 25th, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that a pediatric patient under 16 years old diagnosed with acute hepatitis of unknown cause was first reported in Japan on the 21st.

The patient tested negative for the existing hepatitis viruses A through E and has not undergone a liver transplant, leaving the cause unknown.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare added that detailed information such as age, gender, and residence will not be disclosed to avoid identifying the patient. They also requested local governments to promptly report any similar cases.

The discovery of the first case in Japan has raised concerns that acute hepatitis in children may be spreading beyond the US and Europe to Asia.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that as of the 21st of this month, at least 169 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in children have been identified in 12 countries worldwide. Most cases occurred in the UK with 114 patients, followed by Spain with 13, Israel with 12, the US with 9, Denmark with 6, and other European countries reporting cases.

Currently, patients exhibiting symptoms range from 1 month to 16 years old. Among the cases, 10% required liver transplants, and one patient has died.

Experts are pointing to a possible association with adenovirus. While the five types of hepatitis viruses A through E, which cause hepatitis, were not detected in patients, adenovirus was found in 74 patients, with 18 confirmed to be infected with adenovirus type 41.

In response, the WHO emphasized the importance of regular handwashing and respiratory hygiene to prevent infectious diseases, including adenovirus.

They also recommended testing of serum, stool, urine, and respiratory samples, and stressed the need for more detailed characterization of the virus through genetic sequencing analysis.

The WHO stated that the ongoing spread of acute hepatitis in children is not due to overseas travel or foreign connections and does not recommend travel restrictions to affected countries.