The essentials The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) has classified hepatitis of unknown cause, which is currently affecting several countries around the world, as a “Public Health Event of Concern”. It predicts a potential impact on the pediatric population that could be “potentially serious”.
This is still a “mystery”. The number of cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause continues to increase worldwide. This Thursday, April 28, the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) also classified this disease as an “Event of concern for public health”. According to the institution, the causes of these liver infections remain unclear and the potential impact on the pediatric population could be “potentially serious.”
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“The disease is fairly rare and evidence of human-to-human transmission remains unclear. Cases in the European Union are sporadic with an unclear trend,” continues the European Health Authority. The Agency advises that it is currently unable to assess the health risk of this hepatitis. “Nevertheless, given the reported cases of acute liver failure with cases requiring transplantation, the potential impact on the pediatric population is considered high,” the institution continues.
191 cases detected worldwide
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern about these hepatitis cases, which mainly affect children under the age of 10. Last week, the UN agency also announced that a child had died from the disease. In addition, at least ten sick minors had to undergo liver transplants. According to the latest reported data, 191 cases have been identified worldwide. The cradle of this hepatitis is in the United Kingdom: 114 cases have been identified across the Channel, while 53 others have been identified in different European countries (including two in France, near Lyon). There are also 12 cases in the United States, 2 in Israel, and a first-ever case in Japan.
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The health authorities are currently investigating plausible causes. Several hypotheses are currently being favoured, ranging from SARS-CoV-2 to an adenovirus. “An adenovirus infection that would be mild under normal circumstances would trigger a more severe infection or immune-mediated liver damage,” says the ECDC. The health authorities also check cases of poisoning. While we wait to know more, “cleaning hands and surfaces in places frequented by young children” is recommended in the face of this mysterious evil.