Sunday, April 24, 2022 – 21:41 WIB
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Hospital illustration. Photo: AFP
jpnn.com, GENEVA – The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday (23/4) said at least one child was reported to have died following a spike in acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children, and that at least 169 child cases were reported in 12 countries.
The WHO revealed the data as health authorities around the world investigate a mysterious disease in cases of acute hepatitis – inflammation of the liver in children.
The WHO said that on April 21 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin were reported in the United Kingdom, United States, Spain, Israel, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Italy, Norway, France, Romania and Belgium. The UN agency said 114 of the 169 cases were in the UK.
Case reports in children ranged in age from one month to 16 years and as many as 17 people had received liver transplants, the agency said.
The WHO said a common cold virus known as adenovirus was found in at least 74 cases. A total of 20 of these cases are known to be related to COVID-19 infection and 19 cases are indicated with COVID-19 and adenovirus, he said.
WHO said it was closely monitoring the development of the disease and was working closely with UK health authorities with member states and other partners.
US health officials issued a warning to doctors to watch out for symptoms of hepatitis in children, which may be related to the flu virus, as part of a wider investigation into cases of acute liver inflammation among children. (ant/dil/jpnn)
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