MAY 6, 2022:
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota has become the latest in a growing number of states that is investigating a mysterious case of hepatitis in a child where all the usual causes have been ruled out. North Dakota Health Department officials say the child from Grand Forks County is recovering at home after a brief stay in the hospital. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been looking into cases of the sudden liver disease in children that has health authorities around the world looking for clues. The illness is being called hepatitis of unknown origin. The cases have no known connection, although a link with a virus that can cause colds is being investigated. Several cases have been reported in Minnesota.
There’s also been a case reported in South Dakota.
MAY 4, 2022:
The South Dakota Department of Health is investigating a child with hepatitis of unknown origin. The child resides in Brown County and is under 10 years of age. South Dakota is among a growing list of states investigating children with hepatitis and adenovirus infection.
“We are asking medical providers to be on the lookout for hepatitis in children without a known cause,” said Dr. Josh Clayton, State Epidemiologist. “DOH is working with the CDC to identify the cause and to prevent additional illnesses from occurring.”
Symptoms of hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, and jaundice, or yellow skin or eyes. Talk to your medical provider if your child is experiencing these symptoms. A link between cases of hepatitis and adenovirus infection is suspected. Adenovirus infections are common and occur among persons of all ages. Symptoms may include cold-like symptoms, fever, sore throat, pneumonia, diarrhea, or pink eye.
DOH encourages everyday precautions to keep children safe, including washing hands often, avoiding people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or mouth, and staying up-to-date on routinely recommended vaccines.
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