WHO provides update on mysterious outbreak of hepatitis in children

One theory is that the outbreak might be linked to Covid-19

The number of reported suspected cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children has more than tripled in a month, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement on Friday.

The number of cases rose to 920 worldwide, up from 270 in the organization’s previous report at the end of last month.

The actual number might be even higher, the WHO said.

The outbreak was first discovered in early April, when Britain reported 10 cases of mystery hepatitis in previously healthy children under 10.

Since then, cases have been reported in 33 countries, the majority of which are from Britain and the United States. According to the WHO, 45 children needed liver transplants and 18 died.

Children normally get hepatitis from a variety of causes, including infection with the hepatitis A virus and exposure to certain medications, such as acetaminophen. Scientists now suggest that the increase in hepatitis might be linked to Covid-19 or adenoviruses, but more research is needed to determine the cause.

Tali Bogler, chair of family medicine in obstetrics at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, told Archyde.com that one of the theories suggests that children “not so exposed to viruses during the pandemic.” Other theories suggest the increase in hepatitis cases might be caused by an inflammatory syndrome following infection, she said.