WHO "Monitoring Unexplained Acute Hepatitis in Children Spread Across 12 Countries... At Least 169 Infected, 1 Death"

Published 24 Apr.2022 16:13(KST)

Investigation Underway on the Link Between Adenovirus and COVID-19

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] Foreign media reported on the 23rd (local time) that at least one person has died from a case of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in children, which is spreading recently in Europe and the United States.

On the same day, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that as of the 21st of this month, at least 169 infection cases have been confirmed in 12 countries. Among them, 114 cases were reported in the United Kingdom.

Earlier, the UK health authorities disclosed that cases of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in children have occurred since January this year, with a total of 74 cases reported as of the 8th of this month.

In addition, cases have been reported in Spain (13), Israel (12), the United States (9), Denmark (6), Ireland (5), the Netherlands (4), Italy (4), Norway (2), France (2), Romania (1), and Belgium (1).

The age range varied from infants as young as one month to 16 years old, and about 10% of the patients, totaling 17, required liver transplants.

Regarding the one death, WHO did not specify the country where it occurred or provide detailed information.

WHO explained that these hepatitis patients were not infected with the existing hepatitis viruses A through E, and no factors such as overseas travel were identified.

Some have suggested a possible link between the recently rapidly spreading adenovirus and this disease. Adenoviruses include dozens of types, some of which cause symptoms similar to colds such as fever, sore throat, and conjunctival congestion, or intestinal inflammation. There are also reports that adenovirus is related to hepatitis in children with weakened immune systems.

WHO stated that adenovirus was detected in at least 74 of the 169 infection cases.

COVID-19 positivity was confirmed in 20 patients, and 19 were co-infected with both COVID-19 and adenovirus. However, WHO indicated that further investigation is needed regarding co-infection with adenovirus and COVID-19.

WHO added that it is closely monitoring the situation and cooperating with UK health authorities and other member countries.