More than 900 cases of "unknown" hepatitis in children have been recorded worldwide

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920 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children recorded worldwide
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10:20, 25.06.2022

The first cases of hepatitis of an unknown virus were recorded by British doctors.



The number of possible cases of hepatitis of unknown origin in children has risen to 920, half of them identified in Europe. The World Health Organization announced this on Friday.

As of June 22, 33 countries in five WHO regions have reported 920 possible cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children, the organization said in a statement.

As specified, 18 sick children died as a result. Organ transplantation was also required in 45 cases. Half of the cases of hepatitis of unknown origin were found in European countries.

The first cases of hepatitis of an unknown virus were recorded by British doctors. Of the 422 cases where the sex and age of the cases are known, more cases occur in boys, a significant number of them under the age of six.

Among the states where the cases were recorded, not only the countries of Europe and North America, but also, for example, Argentina, Israel, Japan.

According to the symptoms, the disease resembles gastroenteritis - the child feels pain in the abdomen, diarrhea and nausea, sometimes the body temperature rises.

WHO indicated that with this type of hepatitis, children develop acute liver failure. The source of infection and methods of transmission of the pathogen are being studied, common hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D and E) have not been detected in these cases of diseases.

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Elena Rasenko

Elena Rasenko writes about science, healthy living and psychology news, and shares her work-life balance tips and tricks.