The Ministry of Health reported this Friday (6) that it monitors seven suspected cases of a type of acute childhood hepatitis of unknown origin. Three are in the state of Paraná and four in Rio de Janeiro. The cases are still under investigation.
According to the folder, the Strategic Information Centers for Health Surveillance (Cievs) monitor with the National Hospital Surveillance Network (Renaveh) any change in the epidemiological profile, as well as the detection of suspected cases of the disease.
The folder guides health professionals and the surveillance network that suspects are immediately notified.
On Saturday (30), the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the first death related to childhood hepatitis, without providing details. Also according to the WHO, at least 17 young people needed a liver transplant. In a note, the entity ruled out any relationship between the disease, which causes inflammation in the liver, and vaccination against covid-19.
According to the Reuters news agency, there are already about 200 cases of the mysterious disease. More than half of the cases are in the UK. The rest is divided between 11 countries around the world. In Latin America, in addition to Brazil, cases of mysterious hepatitis have been reported in Argentina and Panama.
Although it is still a mystery, researchers estimate that the origin of hepatitis cases in children may be the confinement due to the covid-19 pandemic. For scientists, isolation made it difficult for children to continue developing their immune systems.