Two more British children have needed a liver transplant after being sickened with a mysterious form of hepatitis, health chiefs revealed today. Ten youngsters have now undergone the critical procedure, with 114 now known to have been struck down by the peculiar illness. UK Health Security Agency bosses today called on parents to ‘be alert’ to the signs of the liver disease, which has been spotted in 12 different countries, including the US, Ireland, and Spain. One child has died so far.
Dr. Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at the UK agency, urged parents to contact the NHS if they are concerned. The majority of cases have been spotted in under-5s who were initially hit with diarrhea and nausea before later getting jaundice — the yellowing of the skin/eyes. Other symptoms can include dark urine, grey-colored feces, itchy skin, muscle pain, a fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and stomach pains.
Investigations are ongoing but officials believe the illness may be triggered by an adenovirus, which is usually to blame for the sniffles. Experts say lockdowns may have weakened the immunity of children and left them more susceptible to the virus, or the offending pathogen may have mutated to pose a greater threat. Other theories include a new Covid strain or co-infection with adenovirus and Covid.
Ms. Todd said the most effective way to stem transmission of adenovirus, which spreads all year round, was “good hand and respiratory hygiene”. “I, therefore, urge anyone taking care of younger children to supervise hand washing and ensure good hygiene,” she added. Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that can infect the tissue linings of the respiratory tract, eyes, intestines, urinary tract, and nervous system. Infections include common colds, pink eyes, coughs, sore throats, diarrhea, and fever.
Adenovirus is extremely contagious and spreads via coughing, sneezing, and having direct contact with an infected person or the infected object. Dr. Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at the UK Health Security Agency, also said last week that adenovirus infection was “one of the possible causes that we are investigating”.
“However, we are thoroughly investigating other potential causes,” she added. The World Health Organisation said last week it had first been notified of ten cases of hepatitis across the central belt of Scotland alone. It then identified 64 more cases in children across the UK under the age of 10. On Tuesday, Ms. Todd told the Scottish Parliament the number of infections north of the border stood at 13.
