Another 18 British children killed with mysterious hepatitis “of unknown origin”
- This brings the total number of the United Kingdom to 240 since the first one was spotted in January.
- There are 170 cases in England, 32 in Scotland, 21 in Northern Ireland and 17 in Wales
- The leading theory is that the common cold strain has become heavier
By Connor Boyd, deputy health editor for Mailonline
Posted: 18:05, 9 June 2022 | Updated: 18:52, 9 June 2022
Another 18 British children have contracted the mysterious hepatitis that has caused a number of cases around the world.
Health officials announced the new cases today, bringing the total in the UK to 240 since the first was spotted in January.
Of the confirmed patients, 170 are in England, 32 in Scotland, 21 in Northern Ireland and 17 in Wales.
They are mostly in children under the age of five, but a “small number” of children over the age of 10 have also been destroyed.
Scientists still do not know what causes life-threatening liver disease, but they say the main culprit is the common cold strain.
The leading theory is that children’s immune systems are weakened due to the blocking and closing of schools during the pandemic.
The complication has been observed in about 650 children in Europe, the United States, South America, the Middle East and Asia.
At least a dozen young people have died and dozens of children have needed liver transplants. No children have died in the United Kingdom.
Mysterious hepatitis has been observed in the United States, Western Europe and a handful of other countries. Worldwide, at least 12 young people have died and dozens are in need of liver transplants
Announcing the new cases today, Dr Sofia Mackie, director of incidents at the UK Health Security Agency, said: The likelihood of children developing hepatitis remains extremely low.
“Maintaining normal hygiene measures, including ensuring that children wash their hands properly regularly, helps reduce the spread of many common infections, including adenovirus.”
Normal culprits – hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses – are excluded from the results of recent laboratory tests.
Experts are now working on the theory that they are triggered by a group of viruses that usually cause the common cold, known as adenoviruses.
It is unclear whether the mutated adenovirus strain evolved to become more severe, or whether the lack of social contact during the pandemic made children more vulnerable to existing strains.
Dr Mackie: “We continue to remind everyone to be on the lookout for signs of hepatitis – especially jaundice, look for a yellow tinge in the whites of the eyes – and contact your doctor if you are concerned.”
UKHSA officials said there was no evidence that the Covid vaccine was involved, as most cases were in children under the age of five who had not been injected.
They are due to publish a preliminary report of their findings next week.
Symptoms of the complication usually begin with diarrhea or nausea. This can then lead to yellowing of the skin and eyes.
The United States has registered 216 cases in 37 states, with Mississippi and Utah being added to the growing list.
No new deaths or liver transplants have been reported in the past seven days, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its weekly update, leaving the total number at 14 and 6, respectively.
The agency did not reveal where the deaths occurred due to “privacy issues”, but at least one was registered with Wisconsin state health chiefs.
Globally, the United Kingdom has already registered the highest number of deaths and suspected deaths from any nation – although this may be due to stricter surveillance than other nations.
Top experts fear that health chiefs will not understand what lies behind the particular model – at least 520 children around the world have fallen ill since March.
While mild inflammation of the liver is not uncommon in children, severe disease, as seen in these cases, is.
Mysterious inflammation of the liver has also been more than 200 cases in the United States in 37 states.
Globally, the United Kingdom has already registered the highest number of deaths and suspected deaths from any nation – although this may be due to stricter surveillance than other nations.
Questions and Answers: What is the mysterious global hepatitis epidemic and what is behind it?
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is usually caused by a viral infection or damage to the liver from drinking alcohol.
Some cases resolve on their own without ongoing problems, but some can be fatal, forcing patients to need liver transplants to survive.
What are the symptoms?
People who have hepatitis usually have fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light stools, and joint pain.
They can also suffer from jaundice – when the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow.
Why are experts concerned?
Hepatitis is usually rare in children, but experts have already noticed more cases in the current epidemic than they usually expect in a year.
The cases are of “unknown origin” and are also serious, according to the World Health Organization.
What are the best theories?
Weakened immunity
British experts tasked with investigating a series of diseases believe that the endless cycle of blocking may have played a role.
Restrictions may have weakened children’s immunity due to reduced social mixing, which leaves them at increased risk for adenovirus.
This means that even “normal” adenovirus can cause severe results because children do not respond to it as they have in the past.
Adenoviral mutation
Other scientists have said it may be an adenovirus that has acquired “unusual mutations.”
This would mean that it may be more portable or more able to bypass children’s natural immunity.
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