A mysterious liver disease that has affected children in Europe and the United States has caused at least one death, the World Health Organization reported.
The UN-affiliated agency said late Saturday that it had received reports of at least 169 cases of “acute hepatitis of unknown origin” in a dozen countries.
The disease has been reported in children from one month to 16 years of age, and 17 of those affected have had to receive liver transplants. The WHO did not specify in which country the death occurred.
The first cases were reported in Great Britain, where 114 children have fallen ill.
“It is unclear whether there has been an increase in hepatitis cases, or whether there is an increased awareness of hepatitis cases that are of normal incidence but have previously gone undetected,” the WHO explained in a statement.
Experts say it might be a virus commonly associated with colds, but investigations continue.
“Although adenovirus is one of the hypotheses, investigations continue to find the cause,” the WHO stressed, noting that the virus has been detected in at least 74 of the affected people. At least 20 of the affected children have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The WHO added that the affected countries are intensifying their monitoring of hepatitis cases in minors.