South Dakota Health Department confirms mysterious case of hepatitis in a child

The South Dakota Department of Health is investigating the origins of hepatitis discovered in a child with no obvious cause.

South Dakota joins a growing list of states and countries that have seen outbreaks of hepatitis in young people where the origin of the infection can't be explained.

“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.”

The child is a Brown County resident under the age of 10.

The department is urging people to talk with their medial provider if children display symptoms of hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, including fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, jaundice yellow skin or eyes.

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A link between cases of hepatitis and adenovirus infection is suspected, the department said. 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.

The department is also asking that people take precautions, including washing hands, avoiding people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes and avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Mysterious hepatitis case reported in Brown County child