More than 200 cases of childhood hepatitis of unknown etiology have recently been reported in more than 10 countries around the world, at least 4 deaths, and some cases have undergone liver transplants. What are the symptoms of this hepatitis? Caused by what? How can it be prevented? The following few questions and answers can help you understand the disease.
Q: In which countries around the world have hepatitis in children of unknown causes found?
A: According to a communiqué issued by the World Health Organization on April 23, cases of hepatitis have been reported in the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Israel, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, France, Romania and Belgium. A report released by the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on 28 April noted that cases were also reported in Austria, Germany and Poland. The Ministry of Health of Cyprus reported two cases on the same day. As of 28 April, three cases have been detected in Japan. The Ministry of Health of Indonesia reported three deaths from hepatitis in children of unknown etiology on 2 May.
Q: What are the symptoms?
A: According to a WHO communiqué issued on 23 April, patients were between 1 month and 16 years old, 17 patients required liver transplantation, and at least 1 patient died. Many patients present with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, and most do not have fever.
The British Health Safety Agency issued a communiqué on April 29 saying that such cases mainly appear in children under 5 years of age, and the initial symptoms of gastroenteritis such as diarrhea and nausea are manifested, followed by jaundice.
According to a report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on April 29, some children had symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and upper respiratory tract infections before admission; when admitted, some children had symptoms such as jaundice and hepatomegaly. Three children developed acute liver failure, two of whom underwent liver transplants.
Q: What is the cause?
A: Studies have shown that the above cases of hepatitis in children may be associated with adenovirus infection. But because the symptoms of many of these cases are not typical of adenovirus infection, experts are still investigating other possible causes.
WHO said the five common hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E were not detected in samples from all cases. One adenovirus was detected in at least 74 cases, of which type 41 was detected in 18 cases. Adenovirus is a hypothetical cause of these cases.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said adenovirus is thought to be one of the causes of hepatitis infection in immunocompromised children, but its effects on liver damage in healthy children are still under investigation.
Q: What is an adenovirus?
A: There are dozens of known adenoviruses, many of which are associated with cold symptoms such as fever and sore throat. Adenovirus type 41 is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis in children, with diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, and respiratory symptoms in infected people.
Q: Is it related to COVID-19?
A: WHO says that COVID-19 has been detected in 20 cases of hepatitis in children of unknown etiology; in 19 cases, both adenovirus and COVID-19 have been detected. Since the vast majority of children with hepatitis of unknown etiology have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, WHO currently believes that their hepatitis is not a side effect of THE NEW Crown vaccination.
The UK Health Safety Agency said it was also investigating whether the increase in hepatitis cases in children of unknown etiology was related to the increased susceptibility of children to the virus due to reduced exposure to the virus during the COVID-19 epidemic and whether it was due to changes in the adenovirus genome.
Q: How can it be prevented?
A: WHO believes that it is imperative to determine the cause of the disease and recommends measures such as frequent hand washing and respiratory hygiene to prevent common viral infections such as adenovirus.
Mila Chand, the Health Safety Service's official in charge of clinical and emerging infections, said parents and guardians should be alert to signs of hepatitis in children, including jaundice, and hygiene measures such as handwashing can help reduce many infections, including adenovirus.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
Editor: Tang Qiaoxia | Editor-in-Chief: Natural, Chen Shi
Editor: Liao Shouxi | Producer: Li Peng
Labor Day
Hubei Jingshi specially initiated
"Let workers make headlines - post the most beautiful work photos of the mask version"
We are open to the whole city and invite workers from all walks of life
Post the most beautiful work photos of the mask version
We also prepared a 10,000 yuan bonus
Popularity will be passed through the Internet
The top ten most representative workers were selected
The like channel is open
The top ten workers with the highest praise
Each person will receive a cash prize of 1000 yuan
In addition, we will also make exclusive headline posters for these ten workers, and display their positive energy stories through the Hubei Jingshi network platform.