Seven more cases of hepatitis were discovered in Ohio, along with a child who needed another liver transplant, but the number had risen to 40 in the United States, including one death in Wisconsin.
All of the children were between 18 months and 10 years old and were receiving treatment at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
North Dakota also confirmed today the first case of hepatitis in a child, and health care chiefs announced that the patient is now recovering at home. They did not need a liver transplant.
A total of 14 states have reported mysterious cases of hepatitis, including six liver transplants and one death.
Scientists are puzzled as to what’s causing the spike in cases, as none of the infected children tested positive for the viruses that cause normal hepatitis.
The main theory is that adenoviruses, which can cause the common cold, may be behind the wave of sickness. But suggestions of poor immunity to blockades or previous Covid infection behind the cases have yet to be ruled out.
Ohio and North Dakota are the 13th and 14th states to report confirmed or suspected cases of the mystery hepatitis disease.

More than 220 cases of the mysterious disease have been reported worldwide so far in countries such as the UK, Ireland and Spain.
A total of four deaths have been recorded so far, one in the United States and three in Indonesia.
Q&A: What is the mysterious global hepatitis epidemic and what is behind it?
what is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection or liver damage from alcohol consumption.
Some cases resolve on their own with no lasting problems, but some can be fatal, forcing patients to need a liver transplant to survive.
Why are experts worried?
Hepatitis in children is usually rare, but experts have recorded more cases in the current outbreak than they normally expect in a year.
The cases are “of unknown origin” and also serious, according to the World Health Organization. It caused two deaths and 18 liver transplants.
What are the main theories?
coinfection
Experts say the cases may be related to adenovirus, which is often associated with the common cold, but more research is ongoing.
This, coupled with Covid infections, could trigger an increase in cases.
Adenovirus reported by WHO 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 the immunity of children due to reduced social mixing, exposing them to a greater risk of adenovirus.
This means that even “normal” adenovirus can have serious consequences, as children do not react as they have in the past.
adenovirus mutation
Other scientists have said it may be the adenovirus acquiring “unusual mutations.”
This means it may be more contagious or better evade children’s natural immunity.
New Covid variant
UKHSA officials included “a new variant of SARS-CoV-2” in their working hypothesis.
Covid has caused liver inflammation in very rare cases during the pandemic, but these have occurred at any age rather than in isolation in children.
environmental triggers
The UKHSA noted that environmental factors are still being investigated as possible causes of the disease.
These may include pollution or exposure to certain drugs or toxins.
Dr. Jorge Bezerra, director of Cincinnati’s Center for Pediatric Liver Care, announced that there have been seven cases of the disease.
NB said: ‘We saw six, today we will see the seventh. They’re still coming.
South Dakota became the twelfth state to report cases of hepatitis yesterday.
Epidemiologist Dr. Josh Clayton urged doctors across the country to look for other children who may have the condition.
Other states that have reported cases of the disease so far are Alabama, Delaware, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, Wisconsin, California and Minnesota.
New York, Illinois and Georgia say they are investigating suspected cases of the disease.
It’s still not clear what causes this condition, experts warn it may take at least three months to figure it out.
Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Center in New Jersey, told DailyMail.com today that cases could be due to weakened immunity.
“For the past two years, children have been protected from daily exposure to pathogens through masks, reduced social interactions and distance education.
†[As a result]”Children protected from the pandemic are now able to react more severely to common pathogens such as adenovirus,” he said.
On Tuesday, the World Health Organization said at least 228 possible cases of childhood hepatitis had been reported from 20 countries.
More than 50 other cases are also under investigation, he said.
Most cases were 145 from the UK and 20 from the US, which have some of the strongest surveillance systems.
The agency did not disclose which countries had reported additional cases, but other health officials said Austria, Germany, Poland, Japan and Canada had detected cases, while Singapore was investigating a possible case in a 10-month-old baby.
Indonesia said on Tuesday that three children died of suspected hepatitis of an unknown cause.
Children with hepatitis in America are usually under the age of 10.
Those with the condition suffer from vomiting, diarrhea and jaundice — yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes — the CDC said.
More than half also had a fever from the condition.
Most of the children taken tested positive for adenovirus, fueling theories that this may be behind the wave of sickness.
But some were not convinced and pointed out that catching this virus is not uncommon.
Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at UKHSA Health Service, Dr. Meera Chand told parents that the chances of their child developing hepatitis are “extremely low.”
“However, we continue to remind parents to watch out for signs of hepatitis — particularly jaundice, which is more easily recognized as a yellow symptom of the whites of the eyes — and to talk to your doctor if you have concerns,” she said. said. said.
Dr. Chand added: “Normal hygiene measures, including thorough hand washing and ensuring that children wash their hands properly, help reduce the spread of common infections.
“As always, children with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea should stay home and not return to school or kindergarten for 48 hours after symptoms have resolved.”
Hepatitis in children is generally rare, but experts have seen more cases in the UK – at the center of the epidemic – since January than they would normally expect in a year.
Scientists have previously suggested that cases may be the ‘tip of the iceberg’ out there, more likely than has been reported so far.
Investigating an unknown cause is particularly difficult because cases may have multiple factors that are not consistent for all diseases.
Source: Daily Mail

I am Anne Johnson and I work as an author at the Fashion Vibes. My main area of expertise is beauty related news, but I also have experience in covering other types of stories like entertainment, lifestyle, and health topics. With my years of experience in writing for various publications, I have built strong relationships with many industry insiders. My passion for journalism has enabled me to stay on top of the latest trends and changes in the world of beauty.