(Original title: WHO: Hundreds of cases of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children have at least 1 death worldwide)
Financial Associated Press, April 24 (intern editor Zhou Ziyi)The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday that cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in children increased, with 12 countries reporting at least 169 cases in children and at least one death.
As of April 21, the United Kingdom (114 cases), Spain (13 cases), Israel (12 cases), the United States (9 cases), Denmark (6 cases), Ireland (<5 cases), the Netherlands (4 cases), Italy (4 cases), Norway (2 cases), France (2 cases), Romania (1 case) and Belgium (1 case) reported cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin.
(Source: World Health Organization official website)
Further reports of acute hepatitis of unknown origin in young children have been reported since the WHO broke the news of an acute hepatitis outbreak in the UK on 15 April. Adenovirus is a possible hypothesis and the pathogen is being investigated by WHO.
The reported cases in children were between 1 month and 16 years of age, 17 children (regarding 10%) required liver transplantation, and at least one child death was reported, indicating the seriousness of this acute hepatitis. degree.
No known hepatitis viruses, namely hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, have been detected in these hepatitis cases during laboratory studies.
The WHO also said that adenovirus has been detected in at least 74 cases. SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus was detected in 20 cases. In addition, 19 cases of co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus and adenovirus were detected.
Countries with confirmed cases are conducting further investigations, including more detailed clinical and exposure studies, toxicology testing (i.e. environmental and food toxicity testing) and other virological/microbiological testing. In addition, the affected countries have begun to strengthen monitoring activities.
U.S. health officials have issued a national alert warning doctors to watch out for childhood hepatitis symptoms that may be linked to the cold virus, leading to a broader investigation of the acute form of hepatitis.
