Now Japan and Canada are investigating mysterious hepatitis in children as the global epidemic spreads

What do we know about the global hepatitis epidemic?

Scientists were stunned by a global hepatitis epidemic that resulted in one death and 17 liver transplants.

Inflammatory liver disease has been observed in at least 169 children aged one month to 16 years.

None of the cases was caused by any of the five typical strains of the virus: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

what is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection or liver damage from alcohol consumption.

Hepatitis usually has no obvious symptoms, but can include dark urine, light gray stools, itchy skin, and yellowing of the eyes and skin.

Infected people may also have muscle and joint pain, high fever, feel sick, and be unusually tired at all times.

When hepatitis is transmitted by a virus, it is usually caused by consuming food and drink contaminated with the feces of an infected person, or by blood-to-blood or sexual contact.

In how many countries have cases been recorded?

* Cases in Canada, Japan and Illinois, USA to be confirmed

Do we know what is behind the epidemic?

coinfection

Experts say the cases may be related to a virus commonly associated with the common cold, but more research is ongoing.

This, coupled with Covid infections, could trigger an increase in cases.

“Although adenovirus is a possible hypothesis, research is ongoing to determine the causative agent,” the WHO states. Said.

He noted that the virus was detected in at least 74 cases. At least 20 children tested positive for coronavirus.

weakened immunity

British experts tasked with investigating the wave of sickness believe the endless cycle of congestion may have played a role.

The restrictions may have weakened children’s immunity and put them at a greater risk of adenovirus.

The team, led by Public Health Scotland epidemiologist Dr Kimberly Marsh, said more children with disability may become “immunologically naive” to the virus.

They said: “The main hypotheses revolve around adenovirus: a new variant with a clear clinical syndrome or a variant that circulates regularly and has more serious consequences for young children who are immunologically naive.

“The second scenario could be the result of limited social mixing during the pandemic.”

adenovirus mutation

Other scientists have argued that it may be a virus acquiring “unusual mutations.”

A virologist at Imperial College London said: “The Telegraph is “very unusual and rare”, especially for children suffering from hepatitis severe enough to require a liver transplant.

The expert, who did not want to be named, said, “The number of cases is exceptional.

“It makes people think it’s something unusual, like a mutated virus or some other cause. It set off the alarm bells.

New Covid variant

When UKHSA officials discussed the variant at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in Lisbon, they included “a novel variant of SARS-CoV-2” in their working hypothesis.

other theories

The UKHSA has determined that Covid and other infections and environmental factors are still being investigated as possible causes of the disease.

The agency ruled out the Covid vaccine as a possible cause, as none of the UK cases were vaccinated due to their age.