More than 50 other suspected cases would still be checked. The hepatitis cases were reported from four of the six regions into which the WHO divides the world.
According to the WHO, most cases of hepatitis in children in which the causative agents of hepatitis A, B, C, D and E have been ruled out occurred in Europe. The first cases were observed in Great Britain, there were others in other European countries such as Germany, but also in Israel and Japan.
The hepatitis diseases occurred in children aged one month to 16 years. Children under the age of ten were particularly affected, and children under the age of five were most affected. At least one child died from it, and several others had to have a new liver transplant.
The vast majority of affected children were healthy before becoming ill. Early symptoms included abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and jaundice.
Inflammation of the liver
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that rarely occurs in healthy children. Experts rule out a connection between the most recent cases and corona vaccinations, since many affected children were not vaccinated. There is also no evidence of a connection with the painkiller paracetamol, which can lead to liver failure if overdosed.
As a “working hypothesis”, the EU health authority ECDC is examining a possible connection with adenoviruses – widespread cold viruses that normally only cause minor illnesses. The US health authority CDC also said on Friday that it is currently “assuming that the adenovirus could be the cause of the reported cases”. But other causes, such as environmental factors, are still under investigation.
Also at least two cases in Vienna
Source: Nachrichten
