China's General Administration of Customs has made arrangements to prevent the introduction and spread of acute, severe hepatitis of unknown origin in children which have been reported in multiple other countries and regions, the arrangements include enhancing health declarations, temperature monitoring and medical checks for arrivals from the affected countries and regions.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of May 1, 20 countries have reported at least 228 acute severe hepatitis of unknown origin in children and 50 suspected cases. Among them, 14 countries in Europe have been affected, and cases have also been reported in the Americas, the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia. The cases taken into consideration mainly ranged between the ages of 1 and 16. In China cases of this acute hepatitis of unknown origin have not yet been detected.
The statement sent by the Chinese customs authority said that in response to the public health emergency, the administration has made full use of the global epidemic monitoring network, collecting daily information about the acute hepatitis at home and abroad and paying close attention to the epidemic development in the affected areas as well as to their response. These extensive measures can provide important data for subsequent risk assessment work.
The customs authority has requested all the customs in China to enhance health declarations, temperature monitoring and medical checks for arrivals from the affected countries. Passengers, especially children, with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and jaundice, who voluntarily report or are found at the scene, should undergo medical inspection in accordance with prescribed procedures. After medical checks, passengers suspected of suffering from the acute severe hepatitis of unknown origin should be transferred to designated medical institutions for further diagnosis and treatment.
