The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a total of 145 children with sudden onset Hepatitis, which inflames the liver of those
infected. In the UK, 17 children have already received liver transplants, reports TheConversation.
Of the confirmed cases, 108 are resident in England, 17 are in Scotland, 11 are in Wales and 9 are in Northern Ireland. Similar cases have been found internationally, with the first case being recorded in Japan recently. The USA have also issued alerts based on new cases. Fortunately, there have been no deaths recorded.
Health authorities remain baffled as to why the children are contracting the disease.
The usual viruses that cause infectious hepatitis (hepatitis A to E) have not been detected. The cases are predominantly in children under 5 years old who showed initial symptoms of gastroenteritis illness (diarrhoea and nausea) followed by the onset of jaundice.
Parents are reminded to be alert to the signs of hepatitis – particularly jaundice, which is easiest to spot as a yellow tinge in the whites of the eyes. Concerned parents should contact your doctor.
According to Outbreak News Today, findings to date suggest that the rise in sudden onset hepatitis in children may be linked to adenovirus infection, but other causes are still being actively investigated.
As it is not typical to see this pattern of symptoms from adenovirus, they are investigating other possible contributing factors, such as another infection – including coronavirus (COVID-19) – or an environmental cause.
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