WHO Confirms Child Deaths from Acute Hepatitis Infections Spreading in a Dozen Countries
KOMPAS.COM – The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed death of a child from a mysterious severe hepatitis infection that has reported in 12 countries.
Most of the infections, 114 cases were in the UK, followed by Spain recorded 13 cases and Israel recorded 12 cases.
The outbreak has also spread to the United States, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Italy, France, Norway, Romania and Belgium.
UN agency records 169 rare cases of acute hepatitis, inflammation heart in children. Of these, 17 cases with the condition is severe and requires a liver transplant.
WHAT CAUSED IT?
According to The Guardian , health authorities have investigated the disease mysteriously affecting the one month to 16 year age group, since a cluster of cases was identified in Scotland from January until mid-April.
WHO has encouraged countries around the world to monitor and reported similar cases.
Although the number is not large, the consequences are quite severe, said Richard Pebodys European division of the WHO high threat pathogens team.
The hepatitis cases that occur are not related to any of the following: of the five types of hepatitis viruses, namely A, B, C, D, and E.
Scientists believe that adenovirus, a common type of virus that can causes colds, likely to be the cause of the wave of cases acute hepatitis. At least 74 of the affected children tested positive for adenovirus.
Meanwhile, adenovirus 41 has been associated with hepatitis immunocompromised children.
Scottish Public Health Director Jim McMenamin said, currently investigating the mutated adenovirus cause more severe disease or can create problems along with other viruses including SARS-CoV-2.
The reported symptoms include dark urine, eyes and skin yellowing, pain, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, light-colored stools, and joint pain. Get SELECTED NEWS and BREAKING NEWS updates every day from Kompas.com. Lets join the Kompas.com News Update Telegram Group, how to click the link https://t.me/kompascomupdate, then join. You must first install the Telegram application on the cellphone.
