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 host of cases around the world. Health officials announced the new cases today, bringing the total in the UK to 240 since the first one was identified in January. Of the confirmed patients, 170 were in England, 32 in Scotland, 21 in Northern Ireland and 17 in Wales. It mainly affects children under the age of five – but a “small number” of children over the age of 10 have also been hit. Scientists still do not know what causes life-threatening liver disease, but say the main culprit is a strain of the common cold. A leading theory is that children’s immune systems have been weakened by lockdowns and school closures during the pandemic. The complication has been identified in approximately 650 children in Europe, the United States, South America, the Middle East and Asia. At least 12 young people have died and dozens of children have needed liver transplants. No children have died in the UK. Mysterious hepatitis has been found in the United States, Western Europe and some other countries. Globally, at least 12 young people have died and dozens needed liver transplants Announcing the new cases today, Dr Sophia Makki, Case Director at the UK Health Insurance Agency, said: “The chances of children developing hepatitis remain extremely low. “Maintaining proper hygiene, including ensuring that children wash their hands properly regularly, helps reduce the spread of many common infections, including adenovirus.” The natural culprits – the hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses – have been 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 commonly cause the common cold, known as adenoviruses. It is not clear whether a mutated adenovirus strain has evolved to become more serious or whether the lack of social contact during the pandemic has made children more vulnerable to existing strains. Dr Makki: “We continue to remind everyone to be vigilant about the signs of hepatitis – especially jaundice, looking for a yellow tinge in the whites of the eyes – and to contact your doctor if you are concerned.” UKHSA officials said there was no evidence that the Covid vaccine was involved, as most cases involved children under the age of five who had not been pierced. They are expected to publish a preliminary report on the findings next week. Symptoms of a complication usually start with diarrhea or illness. It can then cause the skin and eyes to turn yellow. The United States has recorded 216 cases in 37 states, with Mississippi and Utah being the last to be 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 a weekly update, with a total of 14 and six respectively. The agency did not disclose where the fatalities occurred due to “confidentiality issues”, but at least one was recorded in Wisconsin, according to state health officials. Globally, the United Kingdom now has the highest number of deaths and suspected cases of any nation – although this may be due to stronger surveillance by other nations. Top experts fear that health officials will not understand what lies behind the bizarre pattern – which has plagued at least 520 children worldwide since March – for months. While mild inflammation of the liver is not uncommon in children, the serious illness as it appears in these cases is. Mysterious inflammation of the liver also has more than 200 cases in the US in 37 states. Globally, the United Kingdom now has the highest number of deaths and suspected cases of any nation – although this may be due to stronger surveillance by other nations.
Q&A: What is the mysterious global hepatitis outbreak and what is behind it?
What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is usually caused by a viral infection or liver damage from alcohol consumption. Some cases resolve on their own, without persistent problems, but a fraction can be fatal, forcing patients to need liver transplants to survive. What are the symptoms? People with hepatitis generally 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 worried? Hepatitis is usually rare in children, but experts have already identified more cases in the current epidemic than they would normally expect in a year. The cases are of “unknown origin” and are also serious, according to the World Health Organization. What are the top theories? Weakened immunity British experts in charge of investigating the multitude of diseases believe that the endless cycle of lockdowns may have contributed. Restrictions may have weakened children’s immunity due to reduced social involvement, leaving them at increased risk of developing adenovirus. This means that even a “normal” adenovirus could cause serious consequences because children do not respond to it as they used to. Adenovirus mutation Other scientists say it may have been the adenovirus that has acquired “unusual mutations”. This would mean that it could be more contagious or better able to overcome children’s natural immunity.
