Finally, it was reported that three children lost their lives in Indonesia. Scientists are trying to unravel the mystery of the cases. The number of mysterious hepatitis cases is increasing rapidly, starting with 10 cases first reported from Scotland on 5 April. Finally, it was reported that three children died in Indonesia due to liver disease of unknown origin.
Indonesian Ministry of Health reported that three children, aged 2, 8 and 11, died in hospitals in Jakarta last month, and showed symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain before the symptoms of inflammation in the liver appeared. In addition, symptoms such as fever, jaundice, spasm and loss of consciousness were observed in the children who were taken to the hospital. The ministry stated that the investigations regarding the death cases are continuing and asked the parents to take the children showing symptoms to the hospital without delay.
WHO: At least 228 cases in 20 countries
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that as of May 1, at least 228 hepatitis cases were recorded from 20 countries, and 50 cases were examined. It was stated that a significant part of the cases whose origin is unknown and which is considered to be most likely hepatitis are seen in Europe.
It is stated that the cases are seen in children from one month old to 16 years old, those under the age of ten are most affected, and the disease is most common in the group under 5 years old. At least four children have died from the disease so far, while organ transplants have been performed in some cases of liver failure.
10 cases were first reported to WHO from Scotland on April 5, and all cases were recorded in children under the age of 10. While the number of cases in the UK rose to over 150, cases were found in European countries such as Ireland, the Netherlands and Germany, as well as in Israel and Japan.
Scientists try to solve the mystery
WHO, after examining the first 169 cases, stated that no known hepatitis virus groups A, B, C, D and E were found in any of the cases. It is also noteworthy that the majority of those who have the disease are healthy children who are not in the risk group.
Hepatitis, which causes inflammation of the liver, is a rare disease in normally healthy children.
In contrast, the cases focus on viruses that affect the upper respiratory tract, called adenoviruses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the USA published a report on the cases that occurred in Alabama on Friday, reporting that 9 children tested positive for Adenovirus 41. The center noted that this disease is known to cause gastrointestinal disorders in children, but “it is rare to cause hepatitis in healthy children.” The report stated that the cases were thought to be caused by adenovirus, but other possible factors such as environmental causes are still being studied.
It was announced that the known hepatitis types A, B, C or Morbus Wilson were not found in the cases in Alabama. In Alabama, nine children aged 1-6 years showed symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and jaundice, three had liver failure, and two had liver transplants. One in four previously recorded cases in the state of Wisconsin resulted in death.
WHO also noted that adenovirus is a possible thesis, but investigations are continuing to find the cause of the diseases.
The EU Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is also investigating the possible link of cases to adenoviruses.
Adenoviruses, which have more than 50 types, can be transmitted through close personal contact, respiratory droplets and surfaces. Commonly seen adenoviruses usually only cause mild colds.
Could it be related to the corona measures?
Scientists point out that most of the children in hepatitis cases are not vaccinated against the coronavirus, and state that the vaccine effect cannot be in question.
Meera Chand, an infectious diseases specialist from the Health Security Agency in England, stated that adenoviruses are encountered in 75 percent of the cases in the country, and stated that a combination of a normal infection originating from adenovirus and a more severe factor may be in question.
Chand also noted that sick children may not have developed immunity to adenoviruses due to coronavirus measures such as closure and mask requirement at a time that is of great importance for the formation of their natural immune system.
AFP,rtr / UK,ET