WHO: Rise in Acute Hepatitis Cases Causes One Child to Die

WHO reports one child has died following spike in acute hepatitis

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday (23/4/2022) said at least one child was reported to have died following a spike in acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children. WHO explained that at least 169 cases of children were reported in 12 countries.

The WHO revealed the data as health authorities around the world investigate a mysterious disease in cases of acute hepatitis or liver inflammation in children. The WHO said on April 21 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin were reported in the United Kingdom, United States, Spain, Israel, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Italy, Norway, France, Romania and Belgium.

The UN agency said 114 of the 169 cases were in the UK. Case reports in children ranged in age from one month to 16 years and as many as 17 people had received liver transplants, the agency said. The WHO said a common cold virus known as adenovirus was found in at least 74 cases.

A total of 20 of these cases are known to be related to Covid-19 infection and 19 cases are indicated with Covid-19 and adenovirus. WHO is closely monitoring the progress of the disease and is working closely with UK health authorities with member states and other partners. US health officials issued a warning to doctors to watch out for symptoms of hepatitis in children, which may be related to the flu virus, as part of a wider investigation into cases of acute liver inflammation among children.

source: Reuters

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