The WHO reported on Tuesday that there were 348 probable cases of a mysterious variant of hepatitis that especially affects children. Likewise, studies on its possible link with adenovirus and covid-19 infection were accelerated.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cases were reported in 20 countries. With an additional 70 cases from 13 other countries pending classification pending completion of testing.
Only six countries report more than five caseswith more than 160 in Great Britain.
WHO new cases of hepatitis
“In the last week there have been some important developments with additional research and some refinements of the working hypotheses,” Philippa Easterbrook, from the WHO global program on hepatitis, told a news conference.
“Currently, the main hypotheses are the one involving the adenovirus, and the role of covid also remains important,” he said.
The WHO was informed for the first time on April 5, 10 cases in Scotland detected in children under 10 years.
Cases under investigation
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday it was investigating 109 cases, of which five deaths have been reported.
Three Indonesian children have died from the disease.
This hepatitis causes jaundice, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Some cases have caused liver failure and required transplants.
The WHO describes the outbreak of severe liver inflammation as acute hepatitis of unknown origin among young children.
Common hepatitis viruses have not been recorded in any of the cases, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the WHO.
