Mystery outbreak of hepatitis in children investigated in the UK - April 11, 2022

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article...ted-in-the-uk/

Mystery outbreak of hepatitis in children investigated in the UK
There has been a cluster of cases of hepatitis, or liver inflammation, among young children in the UK, which could be linked to an unknown infection
Health 11 April 2022
By Clare Wilson

Doctors are investigating a mysterious outbreak of liver disease in young children in the UK. So far, there have been 60 cases in England and 11 in Scotland of unexplained hepatitis, or liver inflammation, since the start of the year, most of them in children who are 2 to 5 years old. Case numbers in Wales and Northern Ireland haven’t been released.

Although no child has died, a “small number” have needed a liver transplant, said the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on 8 April. This means they will have to take drugs that suppress the immune system for the rest of their lives, which will leave them at risk of infections....

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[Shiloh]

Source: https://news.stv.tv/scotland/further...possible-cause

Further hepatitis cases in kids as Covid investigated as possible cause
Coronavirus and adenoviruses are potential causes for the outbreak as medics rule out any link to the vaccine.
By Gianni Marini
35 minutes ago

A further two cases of hepatitis in children have been confirmed in Scotland with the cause of the outbreak still unclear.

There are 13 children, aged between one and five, being treated in hospitals across Scotland for paediatric hepatitis.

Public health authorities said there were a number of potential causes under investigation but there was no link to the Covid-19 vaccine.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said none of the 74 confirmed cases in the UK had been vaccinated.

However, coronavirus is being investigated as a possible cause along with a group of viruses called adenoviruses which may be causing the illnesses, as well as other infections or environmental causes.

Public Health Scotland said most cases have presented from March and that the hepatitis viruses commonly associated with the condition have been excluded...

[Pathfinder]

Increase in hepatitis (liver inflammation) cases in children under investigation


The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has recently detected higher than usual rates of liver inflammation (hepatitis) in children. Similar cases are being assessed in Scotland.
From:UK Health Security AgencyPublished6 April 2022Last updated12 April 2022 — See all updates

Latest


Public health doctors and scientists at the UK’s public health agencies are continuing to investigate 74 cases of hepatitis (liver inflammation) in children since January 2022, where the usual viruses that cause infectious hepatitis (hepatitis A to E) have not been detected.

Of the confirmed cases, 49 are in England, 13 are in Scotland and the remainder are in Wales and Northern Ireland.

One of a number of potential causes under investigation is that a group of viruses called adenoviruses may be causing the illnesses. However, other possible causes are also being actively investigated, including coronavirus (COVID-19), other infections or environmental causes.

There is no link to the COVID-19 vaccine. None of the currently confirmed cases in the UK has been vaccinated.

Adenoviruses are a family of common viruses that usually cause a range of mild illnesses and most people recover without complications. They can cause a range of symptoms, including colds, vomiting and diarrhoea. While they don’t typically cause hepatitis, it is a known rare complication of the virus.

Adenoviruses are commonly passed from person to person and by touching contaminated surfaces, as well as through the respiratory route.

The most effective way to minimise the spread of adenoviruses is to practice good hand and respiratory hygiene and supervise thorough handwashing in younger children.

Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at UKHSA, said:

We are working swiftly with the NHS and public health colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to investigate a wide range of possible factors which may be causing children to be admitted to hospital with liver inflammation known as hepatitis.

One of the possible causes that we are investigating is that this is linked to adenovirus infection. However, we are thoroughly investigating other potential causes.

Normal hygiene measures such as good handwashing – including supervising children – and respiratory hygiene, help to reduce the spread of many of the infections that we are investigating.

We are also calling on parents and guardians, to be alert to the signs of hepatitis – including jaundice – and to contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned.

UKHSA, working with partners, will continue to make the public aware of findings throughout the course of the investigation.



Previous

Wednesday 6 April 2022


Hepatitis is a condition that affects the liver and may occur for a number of reasons, including several viral infections common in children. However, in the cases under investigation the common viruses that cause hepatitis have not been detected.

UKHSA is working swiftly with the NHS and public health colleagues across the UK to investigate the potential cause. In England, there are approximately 60 cases under investigation in children under 10.

Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, said:

Investigations for a wide range of potential causes are underway, including any possible links to infectious diseases.

We are working with partners to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, so that any further children who may be affected can be identified early and the appropriate tests carried out. This will also help us to build a better picture of what may be causing the cases.

We are also reminding parents to be aware of the symptoms of jaundice – including skin with a yellow tinge which is most easily seen in the whites of the eyes – and to contact a healthcare professional if they have concerns.

Hepatitis symptoms include:

• dark urine
• pale, grey-coloured poo
• itchy skin
• yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
• muscle and joint pain
• a high temperature
• feeling and being sick
• feeling unusually tired all the time
• loss of appetite
• tummy pain

...

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/increase-in-hepatitis-liver-inflammation-cases-in-children-under-investigation#full-publication-update-history

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.deeside.com/childhood-he...investigation/


Childhood hepatitis outbreak – four more cases in Wales under investigation
News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales
Updated: Mon 23rd May

Public Health Wales is investigating four more cases of acute hepatitis among children.

Health officials have identified 17 cases in Wales, an increase of four cases since the last update on 6 May.

UK Health Security Agency launched an investigation in April after hospitals reported a rise in cases of acute childhood hepatitis with no known cause.

Typically, UK hospitals see about 20 cases a year that are not caused by common hepatitis viruses, but cases this year are nearly 10 times higher...

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