The outbreak has affected almost 170 children in 12 countries around the world, the WHO said
PANAMA CITY, May 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — Panamanian health authorities on Thursday confirmed a case of acute hepatitis in a two-year-old boy, which corresponds to an alert issued by the World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) in late April.
Lourdes Moreno, national head of Epidemiology at the Health Ministry, said that she received the confirmation from the Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, and that the boy from the province of East Panama is out of danger after hospitalization.
“In view of this case, epidemiological monitoring has been intensified and a surveillance alert has been sent to all Social Security Fund health facilities, as well as the Health Ministry and private hospitals,” Moreno said in a press release.
The official called on parents to familiarize themselves with the symptoms of the disease, which may include a high fever, the yellowing of skin and abdominal pain. The virus is transmitted through droplets, Moreno added.
PAHO issued an alert after the emergence of several cases in different countries of acute and severe hepatitis of unknown origin in children.
The first case was officially reported on April 5, and the worldwide count has since increased to 169 cases in at least 12 countries with one death reported, the Panamanian Health Ministry said, citing PAHO. — NNN-XINHUA
