A “mystery” hepatitis that damages the liver of many children
The wave of cases ” mysterious “ of severe hepatitis that affects children currently leaves scientists perplexed. Several dozen cases have been reported since last April. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control says it has observed it in five European countries. In the UK alone, almost 80 cases have been reported, children from 22 months to 13 years old. However, if hepatitis is a rare condition in children, acute cases are in principle even more so.
Concern is mounting as to the origin of this acute hepatitis, which has severely damaged the liver of affected children. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 348 cases in 20 different countries. In Great Britain, eleven children even had to undergo a transplant. Where does this mysterious hepatitis come from? Indeed, the viruses causing hepatitis A to E were not found in the bodies of young patients. However, across the Channel, the health authorities are following a new lead: they have noted the presence of dogs in the homes affected by these cases of hepatitis.
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Owning a dog or being in contact with it: possible cause of this severe hepatitis?
A report by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) states that a ” relatively large number of families own dogs or are in contact with dogs. Three-quarters of the children affected would be affected. It now remains to study this track and find out if there is indeed a link between the presence of these dogs and the fact of contracting this acute hepatitis.
If a link with Covid-19 or its vaccine seems unlikely, the hypothesis of an adenovirus is also being studied. Adenovirus AD-41 has been detected in several affected children in the UK. While this virus can in principle cause colds and fatigue, it can also cause gastroenteritis in children. However, for now, this adenovirus has never been associated with a risk of hepatitis. Should we suddenly fear, after the wave of Covid-19, that it is once again a new virus, this time affecting children in priority?
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