Mysterious virus causing hepatitis spreads to 11 countries, the first case dies

WHO says at least 169 children in 11 countries have been identified with acute hepatitis. In it, a first case died from this mysterious disease.

According to CNN, in a press release on May 24, the World Health Organization (WHO) said a total of 17 children had to have a liver transplant, in particular, one death. The children were all from one month old to 16 years old.

'It is not yet clear whether the number of hepatitis cases will increase in the near term. Adenovirus is a hypothesis, but, we are still investigating to find the causative agent, "said WHO.

 WHO warns health officials in countries to be careful when investigating the cause of this disease.

The WHO announcement also indicated a clinical syndrome in the number of cases identified as acute hepatitis with markedly elevated liver enzymes. Many cases reported gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting "before the onset of severe acute hepatitis" and elevated liver enzyme or alanine aminotransaminase levels, and jaundice.

In addition, most reported cases did not have fever or infection with common viruses that cause hepatitis such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

In particular, WHO warned health authorities in countries to be careful when investigating the cause of this disease, because it is very likely that a new adenovirus strain, or co-infection with SARS-CoV-2, will appear.

The majority of cases were reported in the United Kingdom (114 cases). According to WHO, Spain has also recorded 13 pediatric patients, Israel has 12 cases, 9 children are in the US and the remaining few cases are scattered in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, France, and Romania. and Belgium.

On April 21, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that health care organizations should test for adenovirus in children with hepatitis when the cause is unknown. In addition, the child should also be tested for whole blood, not just plasma. The agency noted 'a possible association between childhood hepatitis and adenovirus infection is under investigation'.

In the new health advisory, the CDC requires health care providers or state public health agencies to report any child under 10 years of age diagnosed with hepatitis of unknown cause. from October 2021.

Hepatitis is a condition in which the body's excretory organs are damaged, affecting nutrient processing, blood filtration and the ability to fight infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, liver function can be affected.

Usually, hepatitis is caused by a virus. Meanwhile, adenovirus is a common virus that spreads from person to person, can cause a variety of illnesses from mild to more severe. However, these viruses are rarely the cause of hepatitis.