Acute Hepatitis Cases in Kids Rise to 450 Cases

Globally, about 450 kids have been infected with the mysterious acute hepatitis condition, while 12 have lost their lives, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDPC).

The liver disease that was first reported in the UK in April has seen 12 deaths reported from Indonesia (5), Palestine (1), the US (5), and Ireland (1). The highest number of cases have been reported from the UK (176) and the US (110), another 100 are jointly from European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

Hepatitis B-Causes-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment-Vaccination-FAQs
Hepatitis B is inflammation of the liver due to infection with the hepatitis B virus.

‘The UKHSA said last week that a 'high' number of British children with hepatitis were from families who own dogs.’

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 21 countries have now detected ’severe hepatitis of unknown origin’ amongst children, mostly under 10, since early April. At least 26 youngsters required liver transplants.

While so far there is no reason identified, adenovirus — a common family of infections responsible for illnesses from colds to eye infections — is suspected to be causing the condition. Amongst 176 UK cases, about 126 have been tested for adenovirus of which 91 had adenovirus detected (72 percent). Amongst cases the adenovirus has primarily been detected in blood.

Hepatitis in Kids

But the ECDPC in a statement said: "Other hypotheses and possible co-factors are under investigation. Most cases continue to be reported as sporadic un-linked cases".

Hepatitis A - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Hepatitis A is the most benign of the hepatitis viruses and usually has no long term side effects. Hepatitis A vaccine is available that is 95% effective in preventing the disease.

However, adenovirus has only been detected in blood or plasma samples for many of the cases, and also in low viral loads.

Thus, even the WHO noted that since "adenovirus has not yet been identified in the liver tissue samples analyzed and therefore, could be a coincidental rather than a causal factor".

Quiz on Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a common liver disease that is responsible for mortality as well as morbidity. Test your knowledge on hepatitis by taking this quiz.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also detected SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19, in 24 cases out of 132 with available results (18 percent).

The agency noted that "SARS-CoV-2 serological testing is in process".

Adenovirus Linked to Hepatitis Cases
In kids in the US state of Alabama, adenovirus may have caused an outbreak of nine severe hepatitis cases, revealed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In a bizarre twist last week, the health chiefs in the UK also investigated whether ’dog exposures’ are to blame, The Guardian reported.

However, the officials did not explain how dogs could potentially be to blame, but they are known carriers of adenovirus strains, the report said.

Source-IANS