Hepatitis puzzle: numerous cases in children: Corona connection? WHO expresses concern

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a sudden increase in the liver disease hepatitis in children. Experts do not rule out a connection with the corona virus.

Geneva – Two years since the beginning of the corona pandemic, the virus is still raising new questions. Although the Omicron variant has proven to be less dangerous than previous variants, the danger is far from averted. Recent developments in the UK have now underlined that other diseases also pose a serious threat in the Corona age. Because there is said to have been an unexpected increase in liver disease hepatitis, which could possibly be related to the corona virus.

Hepatitis diseases in children: severe courses but no deaths

As the World Health Organization (WHO) announced, since the beginning of April there have been a large number of hepatitis cases in the United Kingdom, affecting children between the ages of eleven months and ten years. After initially only ten new diseases were reported, the number is said to have risen to 74 in the past week. Since then, the first cases have also appeared in Ireland and Spain.

The diseases have so far been a mystery, because the hepatitis viruses A, B, C, E and D have been ruled out after laboratory tests, according to the WHO. In several cases, a corona infection or adenoviruses or both were detected in the small patients. It is not yet clear whether this is the trigger.

According to the WHO, the disease is primarily characterized by symptoms such as jaundice, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and increased liver enzymes. Although no deaths are said to have been recorded so far, six children have already had to undergo a liver transplant.

Hepatitis diseases in children: connection with corona cannot be ruled out

As the WHO further reports, infection with the coronavirus and adenoviruses, which cause gastrointestinal problems, among other things, have been detected in some cases. It is currently still unclear whether there is a connection with the hepatitis disease and further research is being carried out.

Hepatitis diseases in children: WHO warns of more cases

Since the cause of the new hepatitis cases has not yet been identified, according to the WHO there will most likely be more new cases in the near future. All member countries of the United Nations should therefore report and investigate possible cases as a matter of urgency. Traveling to and trading with the UK and other countries with proven cases should still be safe.

Hepatitis diseases in children: Many cases go unreported

According to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, hepatitis is unfortunately often underestimated and in many cases remains unreported. Since there are five different types of the disease – denoted by the letters A to E – diseases vary in severity. While type A, which can be transmitted through contaminated water, is often relatively benign, types B, C, and D can have serious, long-term consequences such as liver cancer.

The problem is said to be that many of those affected are not even aware of the disease. An estimated 290 million people worldwide are said to have chronic hepatitis without ever being diagnosed. The prospect is frightening and one can only hope that the situation in the UK and other affected countries does not spread further. (le)

Scientists are currently further researching a possible connection between the corona vaccination and heart muscle inflammation.