The World Health Organization (WHO) said Saturday that at least one child’s death had been reported as a result of an increase in “acute hepatitis of unknown origin” in children and at least 169 cases. been reported in children in 12 countries.He did not say in which country the death had taken place.WHO has published the figures that health authorities around the world are investigating a mysterious increase in serious cases of hepatitis, inflammation of the liver, in young children.
The United States Health Agency stated that, as of April 21, the cases of hepatitis of unknown origin had been reported in the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Israel, Denmark In Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, France, Romania and Belgium. Until 114 of the 169 cases were reported in the United Kingdom, where the first cases were recorded.The reported cases were in children aged from one month to 16 and 17 had required a liver transplant, said WHO.
“It is not yet clear whether there has been an increase in hepatitis ‘business or awareness of hepatitis’ business that occurs at the expected, but not detected rate,” said the organization in a statement.WHO stated that a common cold virus known as an adenovirus had been detected in at least 74 cases. The COVID-19 infection has been identified in 20 cases tested and 19 cases included co-infection covid-19 and adenovirus.
The U.N Health Agency said that it was closely following the situation and collaborates with the British health authorities, other Member States and partners.United States’ health officials sent a national warning to the level of alert symptoms of pediatric hepatitis, possibly linked to a cold virus, as part of a more probe wide in unexplained cases of severe liver inflammation in young children.