Jakarta: The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that around 26 babies in Croatia, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK are infected with a rare type of virus, namely echovirus-11.
Eight of these babies died, with most of the deaths reported in France following organ failure and sepsis.
“This is considered unusual because of the very rapid damage and case-related death rate among affected infants,” said a WHO spokesperson, quoting from NBC, Sunday, July 9, 2023.
Meanwhile, there are at least 26 cases echovirus-11 was identified in early 2022, and half of the new cases of the virus have only been reported since the late spring of 2023.
“Mostly enterovirus cause very mild illness in the children they infect,” said Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organization’s health emergencies program.
Enterovirus is a disease that affects newborn babies, where the immune system is not mature enough to fight infection.
In addition, e.gchovirus itself is known to be spread through feces or simply by inhaling respiratory droplets, this virus will usually live in the digestive system.
Although enteroviruses are common, cases of neonatal enteroviral sepsis have historically been rare. But as the pandemic throws all viral activity out of whack, the worry is there could be an even bigger spike in enteroviruses this summer.
When more enterovirus circulating in the community, the probability of newborns being infected increases. Therefore, the role of the pediatrician is very important to be aware of the potential for severe disease in newborns.
Editor : Surya Perkasa
2023-07-09 08:35:24
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