Dozens of cases of acute hepatitis of unclear origin have occurred in children in Britain, according to the World Health Organization. The hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E have been excluded after laboratory tests, the WHO reported Friday in Geneva. In several cases, a corona infection or adenoviruses or both were detected in the small patients. It is not yet clear whether this is the trigger.
On April 5, ten cases of acute hepatitis were reported in previously healthy children aged between 11 months and 5 years from Scotland, the WHO reports. One of the children had the first symptoms in January, the others in March. Symptoms include gastrointestinal problems or jaundice.
Liver Transplants Needed
On admission to hospital, acute hepatitis with highly elevated liver enzymes was discovered. Just three days later, on April 8, there were already 74 cases in Britain, all of them in children under the age of ten. Six children would have needed a liver transplant.
WHO urges countries to be vigilant
The WHO called on all countries to be vigilant to detect possible cases. Three other cases were reported from Spain, including a 13-year-old child. Some suspected cases had been reported from Ireland, not all of which had been confirmed. The cases would be investigated extensively, for example to determine whether the minors had previously traveled to certain countries or been exposed to possible poisoning.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
