Adenovirus Suspected to Cause Mysterious Hepatitis in Children in Several Countries

WASHINGTON DC, KOMPAS.com – Adenovirus presumed to be mysterious hepatitis causes in children found in a number of countries.

However, it is still a mystery why this common group of viruses that usually only causes colds, bronchitis and diarrhea can trigger acute hepatitis, and even death in children.

Possibility adenovirus 41 so causes of hepatitis mysterious cases in children reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) United States while investigating a case in Alabama.

Read also: Mysterious Acute Hepatitis Outbreak in Children Spreads to Asia and Canada

Reported from AFP, a study by the US CDC, revealed on Friday (29/4/2022), nine small children from Alabama who contracted a mysterious hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) all tested positive for a common pathogen called adenovirus 41.

The children were previously known to be in good health. Age of children in Alabama found positive adenovirus is about 1-6 years.

They are among about 170 cases mysterious hepatitis found in 11 countries in recent weeks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Meanwhile, another state, Wisconsin, is investigating the deaths associated with this hepatitis case.

This new CDC paper specifically reviews cluster in Alabama. The investigation of the case nationwide in the US is still ongoing.

“At this time, we believe adenovirus may be the cause of this reported case, but other potential environmental and situational factors are still being investigated,” the CDC said in a statement accompanying the study.

Read also: WHO: Cases of acute hepatitis in children soar in Europe and the US, at least one dies

According to the agency, adenovirus 41 is known to cause gastroenteritis or stomach flu in children, but is usually not known to cause hepatitis in otherwise healthy children.

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