Unknown hepatitis in children in the UK

The World Health Organization is monitoring cases of hepatitis in dozens of children in the United Kingdom, the origin of which is yet to be diagnosed, in some cases requiring liver transplant surgery, announced Friday.

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The UK initially reported 10 cases of severe hepatitis in Scotland to the WHO on April 5, three days later reporting a total of 74, according to the WHO, which expects new reports in the coming days.

In some cases specialized liver disease had to be transferred to the ward and six children had to undergo transplant surgery, the WHO said.

Fewer than five confirmed or possible cases have been reported in Ireland, and three in Spain, he continues. No deaths were reported.

Hepatitis mainly affects children under 10 years of age and is manifested by symptoms such as jaundice, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

Since conventional hepatitis viruses (A to E) are not detected in infected children, British health officials have recently indicated that they are exploring the hypothesis of one type of virus (adenovirus) and other possible causes, such as Govt. -19, other infections or environmental factors.

On the other hand, they ruled out any connection with the Govt vaccine, which has not been confirmed in any of the cases in the United Kingdom.

In a statement, Mira Chand of the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) pointed out that “normal hygiene practices such as hand washing” help reduce many of the infections we are investigating, and called on parents and caregivers to be alert to symptoms. Hepatitis, and “contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned”.

Covit-19 and / or adenovirus, which are experiencing an outbreak in the UK, have been diagnosed “in many cases” but their role in the development of the disease is “not yet clear,” the WHO said.

“No other epidemic risk factors have been identified to date, including recent international travel,” the WHO said, adding that it was “monitoring the situation closely” and not recommending any travel restrictions with the United Kingdom. .