Representatives of the World Health Organization made an alarming statement.
They reported 169 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children in 12 countries. This data is as of April 21.
One death was recorded, WHO notes.
Most cases of hepatitis of unknown origin were identified in Europe (11), one case was in the North and South America region, MIA Rossiya Segodnya.
The largest number of cases is observed in the UK – such hepatitis was found in 114 children.
Next in descending order are Spain (13), Israel (12), USA (9), Denmark (6), Ireland (less than five), Italy and the Netherlands (4 each), Norway and France (2 each), Romania and Belgium ( according to 1).
According to WHO, the age of the patients ranges from one month to 16 years.
About 16% of young patients required liver transplantation. Unfortunately, one sick child died.
The organization also reported that in none of the cases were hepatitis viruses type A, B, C, E and D detected.
At the same time, in at least 74 cases an adenovirus was detected, and in 18 people, molecular testing revealed an adenovirus of group F.
Among those who were tested, coronavirus was confirmed in 20 cases.
In addition, 19 people were found to be co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 and adenovirus, WHO experts said.
The organization recommends that countries investigate and report cases of acute hepatitis in children.
However, WHO does not call for the introduction of travel restrictions to states where the above cases were recorded.
