US health authorities: "adenovirus" may be the source of acute hepatitis infections in children

On Friday, the US health authorities, based on analyzes of acute hepatitis infections in very young children in the United States, suggested that an adenovirus was behind these mysterious cases, but they did not confirm that it was the confirmed cause. 

Adenoviruses, which are common, usually cause respiratory symptoms, conjunctivitis, or even digestive disorders.

The phenomenon of this unknown source of hepatitis infections is not limited to the United States, as dozens of cases were recorded throughout Europe, which raised fears that it could turn into a new epidemic.

"Currently, we believe that an adenovirus may be the cause of these cases, but other environmental factors are still being studied," said a publication by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the main federal agency for public health in the United States.

The authority explained that what may have caused these infections is specifically the adenovirus "type 41", which usually leads to severe infections in the stomach and intestines.

It was originally known that adenoviruses were one of the causes of hepatitis, but it was believed that they only lead to infection in children with weak immune systems.

The analyzes included in detail nine cases recorded in Alabama between October 2021 and February 2022. The children's ages ranged between one and six years, and they were all in good health.

Most of these children suffered from vomiting, diarrhea, and some respiratory symptoms. Two cases of the children required a liver transplant, and all of them have recovered or are in the process of recovery.

It was found that the nine children carried an adenovirus, and the presence of type 41 of these viruses was monitored in five of them.

The authority indicated that the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus was confirmed in six of them, but "they did not record the presence of antibodies in them, which means that it is a previous infection that is no longer active."

The authority confirmed that it is coordinating closely with the European health authorities. An investigation is also underway in cases in other US states.

And Wisconsin health authorities announced this week that they are reviewing four possible cases of children, including one death.

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