BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO) – North Dakota’s Department of Health (NDDoH) has reported a case of pediatric hepatitis.
The case was found in a child in Grand Forks County who was hospitalized, but is now recovering at home. North Dakota is on a list of states investigating children with hepatitis where usual causes have been ruled out. Minnesota is also investigating hepatitis cases in children at several hospitals.
Medical Services Section Chief Kirby Kruger said they are encouraging providers to review their records back to October of 2021 for patients that should be investigated.
“NDDoH is working with the CDC to help identify cases that will aid in understanding the cause of hepatitis in children and to understand how we can prevent these illnesses from happening in the future,” Kruger said.
Hepatitis is a swelling of the liver that can be attributed to different bacterial and viral infections. The virus strain has been linked with hundreds of unexplained hepatitis cases in children around the world.
NDDoH encourages everyday precautions to keep children safe, including washing hands often, staying home when ill, 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.
