Fiji is on high alert following an advisory from the World Health Organisation of an outbreak of severe acute hepatitis in children across Europe.

There is no known cause of the outbreak.

However, WHO has confirmed cases are common in children under the age of 10 years.

So far, no death has been recorded.

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver and is commonly the result of a viral infection.

Ministry of Health and Medical Services Permanent Secretary Dr James Fong said Fiji was closely monitoring the situation.

“Our clinical guidelines advisory team has in place clinical criteria to work within our ongoing surveillance,” Dr Fong said.

“We have reviewed our protocols for severe liver disease to have in place better readiness capability.”

The outbreak has been recorded across Scotland, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and the United States.

WHO, on April 15, advised that the number of cases were likely to increase.

The cause of the outbreak remains under investigation, WHO said. However, some of the cases have recorded severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2.

The advisory states that some cases had required transfer to specialist children’s liver units.

Six children had undergone liver transplantation.

As of 11 April, one epidemiologically linked case had been detected.

Other possible causes of hepatitis with symptoms include jaundice, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

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