Mysterious virus causing hepatitis in children: There have been deaths

All cases have clinical manifestations typical of acute viral hepatitis with markedly elevated liver enzymes, jaundice. In addition, some children had gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting) before. These children did not have any of the common hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, and E). Previously, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that children with hepatitis of unknown cause be tested for adenovirus because they suspect an adenovirus that causes enteritis, gastritis is the procedure. offense.

World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva – Switzerland Photo: REUTERS

The WHO also said that adenovirus had been detected in at least 74 cases, of which 18 were identified as group F 41 adenoviruses, just as the CDC had warned. Besides, 20 cases were positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 19 cases were co-infected with both adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2. However, the CDC believes that it is necessary to exclude the SARS-CoV-2 hypothesis because the cases recorded in the US did not have any children with Covid-19. Also according to WHO, this may be a rare complication that has occurred in the past in children infected with adenovirus but went unnoticed. The increase in the number of cases is due to the increased testing of adenovirus in recent days.

Reporting on the incident, CNN explained that adenovirus is a common cause of illnesses such as colds, conjunctivitis or diarrhea. Adenovirus hepatitis has been reported in immunocompromised individuals, but is rare. Most cases have no epidemiological factors. WHO believes that identifying the root cause should be a priority in order to take the next clinical and public health actions. The organization therefore encourages Member States to identify, investigate and report similar cases.