The Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Health (INS) of Colombia confirm the first case of severe acute hepatitis in unknown origin. After the INS obtained the last two laboratory results on Saturday afternoon, from the samples received last Friday and processed by the institution that same day, which complete the diagnostic algorithm.
The patient is a two-year-old boy diagnosed with cholestatic hepatitis who presented liver failure. As well as with positive PCR for Adenovirus and covid-19. In this case, as in others reported in the world, the antecedent was manifested by Sars-CoV-2 and adenovirus.
According to the entity, the minor presented a clinical picture that lasted almost six weeks. From the onset of symptoms to his favorable evolution and discharge. In addition, he did not require a liver transplant.
Colombia on acute hepatitis of unknown origin
The World Health Organization, WHO, has reported 650 cases worldwide. In Latin America, There are already 15 cases detected in Argentina, Mexico and Panama. In addition to the confirmed case in the country.
In Colombia, the National Institute of Health generated on May 17 new recommendations to health service providers on the international alert. And published the case definitions for severe acute hepatitis.
For now, the evidence seems to point to a kind of hepatitis that makes mild adenovirus infections more severe or triggers liver damage and impairs the immune system. It is also related to previous infection by the covid-19 virus.
Intensified surveillance
The INS maintains intensified surveillance of respiratory viruses. And the indication to notify only those hepatitis that meet the probable case definition.
For his part, Franklyn Prieto, director of Public Health Surveillance and Risk Analysis of the INS, recommended that the population not stop vaccinating children against covid-19.
The evidence so far does not show that the vaccine leads to the presentation of the disease, because the majority of children who have presented this type of hepatitis have not been vaccinated.
It is not a contagious disease
The second very important thing is that the evidence tells us that it is not a contagious disease or that it is transmitted from person to person. The other recommendation is to be attentive to the warning signs.
Among them, the change in the color of the body and gastro-intestinal difficulties.
If they occur, it is important to consult health services and protect children from respiratory infections with the measures we already know, such as hand washing and the use of face masks if respiratory disease occurs.
*The Grupo de Diarios América (GDA), to which El Nacional belongs, is a leading media network founded in 1991 that promotes democratic values, an independent press and freedom of expression in Latin America through quality journalism for our audiences.
