{
  "id": 450456,
  "title": "Why Hepatitis A is no longer a simple disease in Kerala",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/why-hepatitis-a-is-no-longer-a-simple-disease-in-kerala-450456",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-10T07:47:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/why-hepatitis-a-is-no-longer-a-simple-disease-in-kerala/article71321153.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kerala is grappling with a troubling resurgence of Hepatitis A, marked by increased severity and atypical symptoms in young adults. The disease, previously a mild childhood illness, is now causing severe complications in those aged 18-40, with 90% of patients falling into this age bracket. Clinicians report prolonged liver enzyme elevation, extra-hepatic complications, and even fulminant hepatitis requiring liver transplants. The Malappuram-Kozhikode region has been particularly affected, with many cases linked to consumption of contaminated food from roadside stalls and exotic juice shops. The State's public health authorities warn that unless safe drinking water is ensured, universal Hep A vaccination is the only viable solution. Despite Kerala's advanced healthcare infrastructure, the shift in Hep A demographics highlights the need for preventative measures to avoid catastrophic economic and health consequences.",
  "summary": "Doctors are reporting severe and atypical symptoms in those affected, including a prolonged phase of high liver enzyme levels, extra-hepatic complications such as bone marrow suppression and many young adults going into fulminant hepatitis requiring liver transplantation",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu Health",
        "title": "Why Hepatitis A is no longer a simple disease in Kerala",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/why-hepatitis-a-is-no-longer-a-simple-disease-in-kerala",
        "published": "2026-08-10T07:47:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}