Acute hepatitis in children in Europe and the United States worries scientists | Agricultural Economics – News

74 cases of acute hepatitis in children were detected in the UK as of 8 April, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, registrations have grown in Europe and the United States. However, the source of the infection is still unknown and is being investigated. At the moment, the World Health Organization does not advise restricting travel and stresses that the priority is to find out the cause.

Infection can lead to a number of health problems, even fatal. According to the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA), the most common symptoms are: dark urine; White or gray stools. itchy skin; Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice). Muscle and joint pain. Tired. Anorexia; Abdominal pain. The syndrome affects patients up to 16 years of age. But most cases are within 2 to 5 years.

As much as UK health professionals and agencies have been studying cases since January, they have yet to find what causes acute hepatitis in children.

According to the World Health Organization, in the UK cases, laboratory tests excluded hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses. Among the records, many had infection with adenovirus (a family of common viruses that generally cause mild) or viremia The culprit said the World Health Organization Covid-19.

Recently, there has been an increase in the activity of adenoviruses in the region, which are circulating with SARS-CoV-2. To the extent that they are investigated as potential causes, the role of these viruses in pathogenesis (the mechanism by which disease develops) remains unclear.

no vaccine

No other epidemiological risk factors have been identified, including recent international travel. The US Health Service reports that there is no link to a vaccine against the coronavirus – none of the confirmed cases have received the vaccination.

British teams this week reported an infectious agent as the most likely cause of the problem, but a full diagnosis is still being investigated. Of the confirmed cases, 49 are from England, 13 are from Scotland and the rest are from Wales and Northern Ireland, according to officials.

Following the UK’s warning, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Spain have also reported confirmed and suspected cases to the World Health Organization. They are still under investigation. US authorities are also registering cases.

According to the World Health Organization, given a growing trend in reports since last month in the UK, it is likely that more confirmations will occur before a cause is established. Based on the information obtained so far, the organization has recommended against restricting travel to countries with confirmed cases. But he made it clear that he was watching the scenario.