Three new cases of acute severe hepatitis in children not caused by known hepatitis viruses have been reported, adding up to a total of 10 cases confirmed in the country as of May 20, the Public Health Agency of Canada says.
Hepatitis is a disease that leads to liver inflammation and is most commonly caused by hepatitis viruses A, B, and C. In acute cases, it can quickly progress to liver failure over a few days or weeks, according to a PHAC statement.
“Acute severe hepatitis in children is a rare condition in Canada, and in many cases, an underlying or contributing cause is not known,” the agency said, adding that some types of hepatitis can be treated and most cases recover….