WHO warns of fatal acute hepatitis in children

BENGALURU, India－The World Health Organization said on Saturday that at least one child death had been reported following an increase in acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children. At least 169 cases had been reported in children in 12 countries.

The WHO issued the figures as health authorities around the world investigate a mysterious increase in severe cases of hepatitis－inflammation of the liver－in young children.

As of April 21, acute hepatitis cases of unknown origin had been reported in the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Israel, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, France, Romania and Belgium. The WHO said 114 of the 169 cases were in the UK alone.

The cases reported were in children aged from one month to 16 years, and 17 had required liver transplantation. No details of the reported death were given, and the WHO did not say where it occurred.

A common cold virus known as adenovirus had been detected in at least 74 cases. COVID-19 infection was identified in 20 of those tested and 19 cases were detected with a COVID-19 and adenovirus co-infection.

The WHO said it is closely monitoring the situation and working with British health authorities, other member states and partners.

Public health alerts in the US and Europe have asked doctors to be on the lookout for the condition, and to test children for adenovirus if they suspect hepatitis.

US health officials have sent out a nationwide alert warning doctors to be on the lookout for pediatric hepatitis symptoms, possibly linked with a cold virus, as part of a wider probe into unexplained cases of severe liver inflammation in young children.

"This is still a very low number of cases, but they are children, that is the main concern, and the other thing is the severity," said Maria Buti, a hepatology professor from Barcelona and chair of the European Association for the Study of the Liver's public health committee, who has been following the outbreak closely with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis, but drugs like steroids can help, as well as medicines to treat the symptoms.

Parents are being told to watch out for symptoms and to contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned.

Agencies via Xinhua