South Dakota Dept. of Health investigating child hepatitis case

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

State Epidemiologist. Dr. Josh Clayton, says they’re asking medical providers to be on the lookout for hepatitis in children without a known cause. He says the department 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 and is being investigated. Adenovirus commonly circulates from spring through fall.

May 4, 2022