LAS VEGAS (KTNV) – The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is working with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its state partners to investigate reports of acute nonviral hepatitis in Clark County.
SNHD says it received initial reports of five cases in children of acute nonviral hepatitis in November 2020. The cause of their illness was unknown at the time.
All five children had to be hospitalized but have since recovered, the health district said.
The patients lived in four different households.
SNHD says six additional people reported experiencing less severe symptoms, including vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, and fatigue. These patients include three adults and three children.
According to the health district, the consumption of alkaline water of the brand “Real Water” has been found to be the only common link between all cases to date.
The FDA says it is investigating the facility further. The health district continues to monitor for cases of acute nonviral hepatitis.
The FDA recommends that consumers, restaurants, and retailers stop drinking, cooking with, selling, or serving alkaline water from “Real Water.”
SNHD says acute nonviral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that can be caused by exposure to toxins, autoimmune diseases, or drinking too much alcohol. Although hepatitis can have many causes, the symptoms often include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain, and yellow skin or eyes.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.