Unexplained Acute Hepatitis Spreads... 650 Cases Worldwide, 31 in Japan

75% of Suspected Cases Are Children Under 5 Years Old

Last month, people were walking on the streets of Myeongdong, Seoul, wearing masks.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Following the outbreaks of COVID-19 and monkeypox infections, 650 suspected cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause have been confirmed worldwide.

Forbes reported on the 29th (local time), citing statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), that from the 5th of last month to the 26th of this month, a total of 650 suspected cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause occurred in 33 countries.

WHO explained, "The cause of acute hepatitis is still unknown and under investigation," adding, "It is more severe than previously reported acute hepatitis and has a relatively high rate of acute liver failure."

Acute hepatitis is not the conventional viral hepatitis classified as types A, B, C, or E. Patients mainly exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, followed by a rapid increase in liver enzyme levels and jaundice.

Most suspected cases were found to be children. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 75% were children under 5 years old. WHO stated, "We are investigating why pediatric hepatitis cases have increased particularly this year."

The UK reported the highest number of suspected cases at 222, followed by the United States with 216 cases. Next were Japan (31), Spain (29), Italy (27), the Netherlands (14), Belgium (14), Israel (12), and Portugal (11). In South Korea, one suspected case was reported on the 1st of this month.

At least 38 of the 650 patients required liver transplants, and 9 died. In South Korea, one suspected case involving a child under 10 years old was reported on the 1st.

Forbes stated, "Some children showing symptoms of acute hepatitis of unknown cause required liver transplants," adding, "While no deaths have been reported among symptomatic children in the UK so far, WHO has reported 9 deaths in other countries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.