US health authorities investigate 109 cases of a type of serious hepatitis in children, five of whom died, distributed in 25 states of the country, according to what was officially reported.
These are cases of severe liver inflammation that are also of concern in Europe, where numerous incidents were detected, while scientists around the world seek to detect their origin.
Jay Butler, deputy director for infectious diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told a news conference that
The Ministry of Health reported Thursday that it is investigating eight possible cases of severe hepatitis of unknown origin
“Vaccination against Covid-19 is not the cause” of this diseasewhich in the United States affects children with an average age of 2 years, an age group not suitable for immunization against the SARS-CoV 2 virus.
However, coronavirus infection is not ruled out as a possible cause, although health authorities privilege the track of a type of adenovirus, a fairly common virus but which until now was not known to cause hepatitis in healthy children, the news agency reported. AFP.
More than half of the children with this hepatitis in the United States tested positive for the so-called “type 41” adenovirus, until now best known for causing gastroenteritis.
This adenovirus has also been detected in numerous affected children outside the United States.
In Argentina, The Ministry of Health reported Thursday that it is investigating eight possible cases of severe hepatitis of unknown origin.
One of the hypotheses is that the reaction to this adenovirus may be disturbed by another factor, such as infection with Covid-19 or environmental factors, such as contact with animals or a toxin.
“Investigators here and around the world are working hard to determine the cause”Butler said.
Doctors advise parents to be alert for symptoms such as vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, or jaundice, and to contact a doctor if suspected.
In that scenario, doctors advise parents to watch for symptoms such as vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, or jaundice, and contact a doctor if suspected.
Two weeks ago, the CDC issued a health alert for doctors to report suspected cases of hepatitis of unknown origin to authorities.
The 109 cases detected in the United States occurred during the last seven months and 14% of the affected children had to undergo a liver transplantButler detailed. Although 90% of the children had to be hospitalized, most were cured.
Butler also pointed out that the number of pediatric visits to the emergency room for hepatitis is not unusually high in the United States, unlike in the United Kingdom, where some 163 cases were counted, British health authorities announced on Friday.
