(Taiwan English News / Huang Ziti Comprehensive Report) The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that there have been many mysterious cases of children with liver disease in Europe and the United States recently, and severe cases may even require liver transplantation. The etiology is unknown, and it is not a common hepatitis virus on the table. At present, the initial judgment may be caused by adenoviruses.
Associated PressAt least 74 children have contracted hepatitis in the UK, three in Spain, several in Ireland and nine in the US, all in Alabama. The WHO is concerned that the number of cases may continue to rise. Most of the cases in the United States were between 1 and 6 years old, and 2 of them had to have liver transplants. European cases are also in a similar age group, although some children are older.
The WHO found a different situation following receiving 10 cases in Scotland earlier this month. One of the cases occurred in January, and the other nine were reported in March. All of the children’s symptoms deteriorated into severe cases requiring medical attention. Symptoms of hepatitis include jaundice, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. So far, no deaths have been reported from this mysterious hepatitis outbreak.
These children have no history of international travel and no related underlying diseases, and hepatitis A, B, C, and E have been ruled out. In view of the recent epidemic of adenovirus, the medical community suspects that the virus may be the culprit. Many adenoviruses can cause cold symptoms, fever, sore throat, red eyes, and some can cause gastroenteritis. Adenoviruses have also caused hepatitis in children, but most of them are immunocompromised.
Among the sick children in Europe, some were tested for adenovirus and some were diagnosed with new coronary pneumonia (COVID-19). Alabama’s health department said a wave of childhood hepatitis cases began in November in patients who tested positive for the adenovirus. Currently locked adenovirus 41 (adenovirus 41), but still need to be investigated.
