Several countries are busy reporting dozens of cases of mysterious hepatitis in children. The World Health Organization (WHO) is still investigating this, but it is suspected that adenovirus is the cause.
This case of hepatitis in children is in the spotlight because it appears almost simultaneously and there are no traces of the hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E viruses as the cause.
In the UK there have been at least 74 cases of severe acute hepatitis in children reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). A total of 5 cases were also reported in Ireland, 3 cases in Spain, and 9 cases in the United States.
Virologist from the University of Nottingham, Professor William Irving, explained why then the suspected adenovirus was found in some cases. Adenovirus is a type of virus that usually only causes mild colds, but in rare cases it can cause liver problems.
“I find this to be extraordinary… I’ve never come across anything like this in my clinical practice. It’s worrying because we don’t know what’s going on,” Irving said. DW NewsThursday (21/4/2022).
Irving said there may be something unique about the adenovirus found in cases of children with hepatitis. It could be that the virus interacts with other compounds, environmental factors, new infectious agents, or a combination of these.
WHO calls on member countries to follow the development of cases and take surveillance measures. The likelihood of cases will increase until the exact cause is known.
“WHO member states are strongly advised to identify, investigate and report potential cases that fit the case definition,” the WHO said.
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