The number of cases of severe hepatitis of unknown origin continues to increase worldwide. The cases detected are already 450according to a report released by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), almost 100 more than the 348 reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its latest report this week.
The report of the European agency counted 11 deaths worldwidebut the Irish health authorities announced a suspicious death due to severe hepatitis that is not covered by the ECDC document, so the figure would rise to 12. of fatalities, 5 deaths from severe hepatitis of unknown origin have been recorded in the United States, another 5 were confirmed in Indonesia and one in Palestine.
“The cause and pathogenic mechanisms of the disease are still under investigation. A possible association with current adenovirus infection has been found in cases in the UK in particular, but other hypotheses and possible cofactors are being investigated. Most of the cases continue to be reported as sporadic unlinked cases,” ECDC explained in its report.
The WHO was first informed on April 5 of 10 cases in Scotland detected in children under 10 years of age.. So far, 21 countries have detected cases of this hepatitis of unknown cause among children, mostly under 10 years of age, since the beginning of April. At least 26 of the patients required a liver transplant.
It is called hepatitis of unknown origin because the common viruses that cause hepatitis: A, B, C and E have not been detected in any of the cases reported worldwide, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the WHO.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that has a wide range of causes. Viral infections, especially those caused by the hepatitis A, B, and C viruses, can cause the condition. Excessive alcohol use, certain toxic chemicals, some medications, and other medical conditions can also cause hepatitis.
Director of Public Health Scotland Jim McMenamin said research “increasingly suggests there is a link to infection with adenoviruses, viruses that are commonly spread from person to person and by touching contaminated surfaces, as well as through the respiratory system”. And he explained that “common infections, such as adenovirus, can be prevented with good hand and respiratory hygiene. Therefore, he would encourage parents and caregivers to supervise young children while they are washing their hands to make sure they are doing it correctly.”
Liver inflammation is a general immune response to infection or injury, a sign that the body is trying to fight off a possible disease. Symptoms in children are usually some (but not all) of the following: dark urine, gray stools, yellowing of the skin and eyes (called jaundice), and a high temperature.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that they were working with state health departments and that “researchers are examining a possible relationship with adenovirus type 41 infection. ″.
A group of children affected with acute hepatitis had tested positive for adenovirus type 41a pathogen that typically causes acute gastroenteritis, sometimes called the stomach flu, which leads to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes more severe symptoms.
A group of five viruses, known as hepatitis A, B, C, D y E, are well known for causing liver disease, but others can damage the organ. Previously, adenovirus was thought to only cause hepatitis in children with underlying health conditions, but the CDC report noted that it “might be an underrecognized contributor to liver injury among healthy children.”
Dr. Angela Gentile, head of the epidemiology department of the Ricardo Gutiérrez Children’s Hospital in the City of Buenos Aires, highlighted, within the framework of the Vaccination Week of the Americas 2022which is a good time for fathers, mothers, caregivers and health personnel to pay attention to whether children are up to date with hepatitis A and B vaccines. These vaccines are within the national immunization schedule of the Ministry of Health of the Nation and are mandatory.
The hepatitis A vaccine It is applied as a single dose in the first year of life together with the triple viral vaccine. Instead, hepatitis B immunization is included when the pentavalent or quintuple vaccine is given at two, four and six months of age with the booster at 18 months, according to Dr. Gentile.