The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) announced on Friday that 20 more cases of hepatitis in children under the age of 10 have been reported in the country, bringing the total number of positives to 222.
According to the public agency, 158 of the patients live in England, 31 in Scotland, 17 in Wales and 16 in Northern Ireland.
Also, according to the UKHSA, there are no deaths recorded, and most of them are five-year-olds who initially had gastroenteritis followed by jaundice (yellowish color of the skin due to increased bilirubin).
UKHSA medical adviser Renu Bindra noted that studies suggest “an association with adenovirus”, so this link is being explored along with possible contributing factors such as previous infections with covid-19.
“We are working with other countries seeing new cases to share information and learn more about these infections,” the expert told local media.
Adenovirus is part of a family of viruses that can cause infections in the respiratory tract, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract.
“Children are extremely unlikely to develop hepatitis. Normal hygiene measures, including ensuring children wash their hands regularly, help reduce the spread of many common infections, including adenovirus,” said Bindra.
source: Noticias
