The number of cases of acute childhood hepatitis of unknown origin initially reported in the United Kingdom continues to increase, and at least 169 have already been confirmed in 11 countries, one of them fatal, reported the World Health Organization (WHO), which today issued recommendations to address this health alert.
Most cases have been recorded in Europe, except nine confirmed in the United States and 12 in Israel; the United Kingdom has reported the most (114), followed by Spain (13), WHO said in a statement.
The Geneva-based organization noted that 17 of the affected children (approximately one in 10) have needed a liver transplant after contracting this new disease, which usually leads to abdominal pain, diarrhea or vomiting, and according to WHO it could be caused by an adenovirus, perhaps type 41.
WHO noted that it is not yet clear whether there has been an increase in cases or if this is a normal pattern that has not been detected until now, although the organization expressed concern that an adenovirus, usually associated with mild respiratory ailments, may be causing acute liver inflammation.
The first 10 cases of this acute hepatitis were reported by the United Kingdom to WHO on 5 April, in previously healthy children under 10 years of age.
The age of those affected currently ranges from 1 month to 16 years, in most cases they do not have fever, and in none of them have the normal viruses associated with these diseases (hepatitis A, B, C, D and E) been detected, detailed the WHO.
In 74 of the cases, adenoviruses have been detected (18 of them specifically with adenovirus 41, rarely linked to cases of hepatitis before), and in about 20 patients the children also tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes covid.
Faced with this anomalous rise in cases of hepatitis of unknown origin, WHO asks health networks that have identified cases but also other countries to continue investigations and take preventive measures.
In this regard, it recommends measures already known during the covid pandemic (frequent hand washing, covering when coughing, etc.) and tests of blood, serum, urine and feces of those affected to analyze and sequence the possible causing viruses.
WHO does not recommend restrictive measures on entry and exit to the United Kingdom or other affected countries, as it has not yet identified international travel as related to the proliferation of cases.
(With information from EFE)
KEEP READING:
Últimas Noticias
Debanhi Escobar: they secured the motel where she was found lifeless in a cistern
The oldest person in the world died at the age of 119
Macabre find in CDMX: they left a body bagged and tied in a taxi
The eagles of America will face Manchester City in a duel of legends. Here are the details
Why is it good to bring dogs out to know the world when they are puppies
