Child dies from hepatitis and 17 have needed liver transplant amid rare outbreak
dailystar.co.ukThe Sun. The World Health Organisation (WHO) have had reports of at least 169 cases of 'acute hepatitis of unknown origin' from 12 countries.The UK has been the epicentre of the outbreak so far, seeing 114 out of the global 169.Infections have also been found in the US, Spain, Israel, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, France, Romania and Belgium.The WHO have not released more info on where the child who died was from but experts are desperately trying to figure out what's caused the outbreak.The leading view from scientists is that the cause is an adenovirus - common viruses that cause flu-like and gastro symptoms, but usually resolve without any lasting issues.In children they generally spark a mild illness, with the liver inflammation associated with hepatitis rare in healthy youngsters.Usually the type of infections caused include the ear, common colds, pink eye and tonsillitis, with symptoms including coughs, sore throats, diarrhoea and fever.At least 74 of the children have been found to be infected with an adenovirus.
Around 20 had Covid, and 19 had both Covid and an adenovirus infection, a virus that can cause a range of illnesses including cold-like symptoms, fever and sore throat.
Experts have ruled out the Covid vaccines as none of the affected children had received a jab.Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said there is increasing evidence the hepatitis is linked with adenovirus infection.Parents are being urged to ensure their children are washing their hands thoroughly and to keep an eye out for symptoms.Short-term hepatitis often has no noticeable symptoms, the NHS says.But the 10 main hepatitis warning signs are:Respiratory.
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